US consumers need easier ADR reporting

Citing US citizen's frustration with television advertisments that sell the "good news" about prescription medicines but gloss over side effects, the Consumers Union says it is collecting 50,000 signatures on a petition to the Food and Drug Administration demanding that the agency makes it easier for patients to report problems with their medications.

The citizens petition requests the FDA to require that all TV ads for prescription and over-the-counter medications include a toll-free number and web address so the public can easily report adverse drug reactions.