Prescription drug advertising trends: a study of oral hypoglycemics

A content analysis of oral hypoglycemic drug advertisements was performed in selected medical journals published in the United States from 1963 to 1986. The 665 advertisements subsequently examined were studied for certain predetermined parameters in order to indicate trends. The trend results may be summarized as follows. As an extension of prescription drug advertising trends in general, oral hypoglycemic drug advertising showed an increasing length along with a subsequent decrease in the amount of space devoted to the copy portion of the advertisement. They also showed a decrease in the use of statistical information and rarely made references to competitors. Nongender specific, colored advertisements with product and use related appeals have become more common with the passage of time. Although the rationale and purpose behind advertising is unchanged, the format has changed considerably. These changes are primarily due to the enhancement of print technology and to some extent, the changing social environment.