Oh, Oh, Oh, Ozempic: Utilizing Harm to Determine the Permissibility of Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Pharmaceutical Advertising

Author

Rachel CorbettFollow

Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Philosophy

Reader 1

Rivka Weinberg

Reader 2

Andrew Schroeder

Rights Information

© 2024 Rachel Corbett

Abstract

This thesis assesses the morality of the practice of direct-to-consumer prescription pharmaceutical advertising (DTCA), which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. I first describe the manipulative practices within DTCA and how these ads are regulated. I then compare this manipulation using both a welfare-based harm framework and a rights-based autonomy framework. Ultimately, I argue that we ought to primarily consider welfare concerns and direct our criticism toward DTC ads that advertise drugs aimed to treat subjective ailments, for fear of addiction, over-prescription, and societal dependence.

Recommended Citation

Corbett, Rachel, "Oh, Oh, Oh, Ozempic: Utilizing Harm to Determine the Permissibility of Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Pharmaceutical Advertising" (2024). Scripps Senior Theses. 2272.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2272