<P> The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for regulating DTC advertising in the United States . The FDA's latest version of guidelines, though still in draft form, for pharmaceutical drug advertising was updated in 2009 . Forms of DTC advertising include TV, print, radio and other mass and social media . There are ethical and regulatory concerns regarding DTC advertising, specifically the extent to which these ads may unduly influence the prescribing of the prescription medicines based on consumer demands when, in some cases, they may not be medically necessary . </P> <P> To date four nations permit DTC in the pharmaceutical industry: </P> <Ul> <Li> New Zealand (1981) </Li> <Li> United States (1985) </Li> <Li> Brazil (2008)--In 2008 a new resolution from ANVISA (Control Agency for Sanitary Vigilance), Resolution 96 from December 17 was released, with focus on medication advertisement . It allows direct - to - consumer advertising of non-prescription medication, with restrictions on the type of drug and words and images that can be used, among other things . Advertisements for prescription medications can only appear in scientific, medical, or health professional journals . </Li> <Li> Hong Kong (1953) </Li> </Ul> <Li> New Zealand (1981) </Li>

When did it become legal to advertise prescription drugs on tv