Most high-income countries ban direct advertising of prescription drugs – why does NZ still allow it?

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Most high-income countries ban direct advertising of prescription drugs – why does NZ still allow it?

The Conversation

The Conversation

Different coloured pills spilling out of a medication jar on a blue background
[Image: Towfiqu Barbhui on Unsplash]

David Menkes is an associate professor in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Barbara Mintzes is a professor in Pharmaceutical Policy at the School of Pharmacy at Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, and Joel Lexchin is a professor emeritus of Health Policy and Management at York University, Canada

New Zealand and the United States are the only high-income countries to allow unrestricted direct-to-consumer advertising of branded medicines, includ