FDA plans DTC-marketing focus groups.(Food and Drug Administration plans on direct marketing)(NBC Universal Inc. signs deal with Apple Computer Inc. iTunes Music Store)(Wenner Media Inc. appoints Brad Weiners)

Advertising Age, December, 2005

The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) plans to conduct focus groups in 2006 on DTC marketing, among other topics, further delaying any plans to institute new rules for the $4 billion industry. According to a notice in the Federal Register, CDER will conduct 20 focus group studies, with 10 focus groups and 200 sessions per study during the course of the year. Focus groups are regularly used by the FDA to help develop policy initiatives. But in the case of DTC, it appears to be a curious choice. The FDA has been under pressure from the public and Congress to tighten regulations regarding DTC sooner rather than later. Using focus groups will only delay any potential action or reforms.

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