Direct To Consumer Medication

Aka: Direct To Consumer Medication, DTC Pharmaceutical, Direct-To-Consumer Rx, DTC Program

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II. Background

  1. Pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. are now able to sell medications directly to patients

III. Advantages: Patient Perceived

  1. "Discounted" Medications
  2. Convenience

IV. Disadvantages

  1. DTC Programs do not accept insurance
    1. However patients can use their health savings accounts (HSA or FSA)
  2. Manufacturers are selling their trade-name products
    1. Equivalent generic products are far less expensive, even with discounted trade name prices
  3. DTC Programs do not comprehensively screen patients for potential Drug Interactions or contraindications
  4. DTC Program prescribed drugs will not appear in the medical record unless patients report them
    1. Ask patients about DTC medication at each visit

V. References

  1. (2025, Jan) Presc Insights, No. 420110
  2. Lalani HS (2025) JAMA Netw Open 8(8):e2527484 +PMID: 40828540 [PubMed]

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