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DRUG INFORMATION

Informational Content of Official Pharmaceutical Industry Web Sites about Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

PharmD Student, College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Michael E Ernst, PharmD BCPS

Associate Professor (Clinical), Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy; Department of Family Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa

Mark A Graber, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, and Department of Family Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa

Reprints: Michael E Ernst PharmD BCPS, Department of Family Medicine/01287 PFP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA 52242-1097, fax 319/384-8515, michaelernst{at}uiowa.edu

BACKGROUND: In the last 5 years, several treatments have become available for erectile dysfunction (ED). During this same period, consumer use of the Internet for health information has increased rapidly. In traditional direct-to-consumer advertisements, viewers are often referred to a pharmaceutical company Web site for further information.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accessibility and informational content of 5 pharmaceutical company Web sites about ED treatments.

METHODS: Using 10 popular search engines and 1 specialized search engine, the accessibility of the official pharmaceutical company–sponsored Web site was determined by searching under brand and generic names. One company also manufactures an ED device; this site was also included. A structured, explicit review of information found on these sites was conducted.

RESULTS: Of 110 searches (1 for each treatment, including corresponding generic drug name, using each search engine), 68 yielded the official pharmaceutical company Web site within the first 10 links. Removal of outliers (for both brand and generic name searches) resulted in 68 of 77 searches producing the pharmaceutical company Web site for the brand-name drug in the top 10 links. Although all pharmaceutical company Web sites contained general information on adverse effects and contraindications to use, only 2 sites gave actual percentages. Three sites provided references for their materials or discussed other treatment or drug options, while 4 of the sites contained profound advertising or emotive content. None mentioned cost of the therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: The information contained on pharmaceutical company Web sites for ED treatments is superficial and aimed primarily at consumers. It is largely promotional and provides only limited information needed to effectively compare treatment options.

Key Words: advertising, drug industry, drug information services, impotence, Internet, patient education

Published Online, October 26, 2004. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E251