A Critical Analysis of Claims and Their Authenticity in Indian Drug Promotional Advertisements

Table 2

Examples of ambiguous claims in drug advertisements.

1	Nitroglycerin	Claim	An optimal clinical response for improved quality of life (Qol)
		Analysis	(i) Claim did not specify the type/kind of clinical response and how it improved the quality of life; (ii) No reference cited in support
2	Combination of carbonyl iron/vitamin B12/vitamin C/vitamin E/folic acid/sodium selenite/copper sulphate and zinc sulphate	Claim	Slow rate of solubilization resulting in gentle absorption
		Analysis	(i) No pharmaceutical data provided; (ii) No reference mentioned in support
3	Chlorothiazide plus Telmisartan	Claim	C the difference with better partner
		Analysis	(i) Incomprehensible phrase without any reference quoted in support
4	Ivabradine	Claim	Decrease the need for hospitalizations, emergency services, and sick leaves versus usual care
		Analysis	(i) Unable to explain how the referred drug decreased the morbidity; (ii) Irretrievable reference in support
5	Esomeprazole	Claim	The most prescribed proton pump inhibitor (PPI) worldwide
		Analysis	(i) Vague claim without any reference