You’ve seen the commercials: smiling families strolling on beaches with their coiffed golden retrievers and a cinematic sunset in the distance, while a soothing voice urges the viewer to consider whether the latest pharmaceutical drug “could be right for you,” followed immediately by a rapid-fire recitation of sometimes hair-raising side effects. Then, in the blink of an eye: back to your regularly scheduled programming.
According to a new, nationally representative MedShadow Foundation/Sienna poll, Americans have had enough.
In fact, half of Americans support banning direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements altogether (50%), including 60% of adults aged 18 to 34. And nearly everyone surveyed (93%) said the ads should lead with clear information about the condition treated and the drug’s purpose.
The poll results indicate that Americans strongly support regulatory changes: 83% support limiting drug ads on TV and streaming services, and 80% support restricting ads for newly approved drugs during an initial time period.
About half say ads do an excellent or very good job explaining the illness or condition treated (52%) and the drug’s benefits (52%), but fewer give top ratings for explaining who should take the prescription (42%) and the side effects (41%).
People also have concerns about the long-term impact of drug ads. One in five (21%) describes drug ads as harmful, while eight in 10 (81%) believe drug advertisements encourage reliance on medication instead of lifestyle changes.
While 88% of those polled say drug ads can encourage people to seek medical care, which could be helpful, it’s also clear that Americans on average feel that drug advertising is not as clear about side effects as it is about benefits.
U.S. lawmakers are struggling to turn that sentiment into policy. A number of legislative solutions have been proposed over the past two years, including a ban on DTC drug ads, delays for advertising newly approved drugs, or other regulations.
What You Can Do
MedShadow is working on ways to turn these findings into action. Watch this space for more on how you can make your voice heard.
A year ago, in September 2025, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would require drug companies to disclose “all critical safety facts” in their advertising. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently said it would propose a rule, titled Transparency in Direct-to-Consumer Advertising, in December 2026 to eliminate the option for broadcast ads to direct customers to another source, such as a website, for full safety information. Multiple queries by MedShadow to the office of Secretary Kennedy about the proposed rule and other actions related to drug advertising taken by the FDA went unanswered by the time of publication.
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Additionally, a September 2024 bipartisan effort by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) outlined specific guidance on deceptive drug promotions, social media influencers, and telehealth providers. Senators Durbin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) have also recently pushed for the FDA to review certain DTC drug ads before they air. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Angus King (I-ME) have proposed a bill that would ban prescription drug ads outright. And Senator King, along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Peter Welsh (D-VT), have proposed a three-year restriction on newly approved drugs while additional real-world safety data are collected.
However, none of these approaches has yet become law, leaving meaningful reform in legislative limbo.
To read the full report, crosstabs, questionnaire, and methodology, visit www.Siena.edu/SRI/SNY.
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<p>You've seen the commercials: smiling families strolling on beaches with their coiffed golden retrievers and a cinematic sunset in the distance, while a soothing voice urges the viewer to consider whether the latest pharmaceutical drug “could be right for you,” followed immediately by a rapid-fire recitation of sometimes hair-raising side effects. Then, in the blink of an eye: back to your regularly scheduled programming.</p>
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<p>According to a new, nationally representative MedShadow Foundation/Sienna poll, Americans have had enough.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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<p>In fact, half of Americans support banning <a href="https://medshadow.org/drug-updates-recalls/drug-safety/should-drug-companies-be-advertising-to-consumers/">direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements</a> altogether (50%), including 60% of adults aged 18 to 34. And nearly everyone surveyed (93%) said the ads should lead with clear information about the condition treated and the drug’s purpose.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Too-Many-Ads-Landscape-Size-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34903"/></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
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<p>The poll results indicate that Americans strongly support regulatory changes: 83% support limiting drug ads on TV and streaming services, and 80% support restricting ads for newly approved drugs during an initial time period.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>About half say ads do an excellent or very good job explaining the illness or condition treated (52%) and the drug’s benefits (52%), but fewer give top ratings for explaining who should take the prescription (42%) and the side effects (41%).</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":34904,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Drug-Ads-Explain-Benefits-More-than-Side-Effects-Landscape-Size-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34904"/></figure>
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<p>People also have concerns about the long-term impact of drug ads. One in five (21%) describes drug ads as harmful, while eight in 10 (81%) believe drug advertisements encourage reliance on medication instead of lifestyle changes.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>While 88% of those polled say drug ads can encourage people to seek medical care, which could be helpful, it’s also clear that Americans on average feel that drug advertising is not as clear about side effects as it is about benefits. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":34906,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Americans-View-Prescription-Drug-Ads-as-Helpful-vs.-Harmful-Landscape-Size-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34906"/></figure>
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<p>U.S. lawmakers are struggling to turn that sentiment into policy. <a href="https://medshadow.org/drug-updates-recalls/drug-safety/the-fdas-new-drug-ad-rules-are-here-will-they-actually-change-anything/">A number of legislative solutions</a> have been proposed over the past two years, including a ban on DTC drug ads, delays for advertising newly approved drugs, or other regulations. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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<div class="wp-block-myplugin-custom-alignment-block alignright"><h2>What You Can Do</h2><p>MedShadow is working on ways to turn these findings into action. Watch this space for more on how you can make your voice heard.</p></div>
<!-- /wp:myplugin/custom-alignment-block -->
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<p>A year ago, in September 2025, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would require drug companies to disclose "all critical safety facts" in their advertising. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently said it would propose a rule, titled <em>Transparency in Direct-to-Consumer Advertising</em>, in December 2026 to eliminate the option for broadcast ads to direct customers to another source, such as a website, for full safety information. Multiple queries by MedShadow to the office of Secretary Kennedy about the proposed rule and other actions related to drug advertising taken by the FDA went unanswered by the time of publication.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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<p>Additionally, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5040/text">a September 2024 bipartisan effort</a> by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) outlined specific guidance on deceptive drug promotions, social media influencers, and telehealth providers. Senators Durbin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) have also recently pushed for the FDA to review certain DTC drug ads before they air. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Angus King (I-ME) have proposed a bill that would ban prescription drug ads outright. And Senator King, along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Peter Welsh (D-VT), have proposed a three-year restriction on newly approved drugs while additional real-world safety data are collected.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://medshadow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Drug-Ads-Prompt-Concerns-Landscape-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-34909"/></figure>
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<p>However, none of these approaches has yet become law, leaving meaningful reform in legislative limbo. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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<p>To read the full report, crosstabs, questionnaire, and methodology, visit <a href="http://www.siena.edu/SRI/SNY">www.Siena.edu/SRI/SNY</a>. </p>
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We think it’s invaluable — and hope you agree. Our work is made possible by donations from readers like you.
What is Unbiased Drug-Safety Journalism Worth to You?
We think it’s invaluable — and hope you agree. Our journalism is made possible by donations from readers like you.
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