Last updated on: 3/13/2014 | Author: ProCon.org

Durhane Wong-Rieger, PhD Biography

Title:
President and CEO of the Institute for Optimizing Health Outcomes
Position:
Pro to the question "Should Prescription Drugs Be Advertised Directly to Consumers?"
Reasoning:

“Drug or disease advertisements contribute to public health by increasing appropriate consultation for undiagnosed or untreated health conditions.

As prescription medications require approval of a learned intermediary, advertisements do not lead to patients getting inappropriate medications.

Patient surveys suggest that direct-to-consumer information about pharmaceutical products serves an unmet patient need.

Direct-to-consumer drug information that is balanced, screened, and monitored can promote the appropriate use of drugs.”

“Should Canada Allow Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs? YES,” Canadian Family Physician, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Feb. 2009
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
Experts
Individuals with MDs, DOs, PhDs, MPHs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to pharmaceutical drugs and public health. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to pharmaceutical drugs and public health.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Board Member, Drug Information Association (DIA), July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016
  • Chair, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, 2011-present
  • President and CEO, Institute for Optimizing Health Outcomes, 2005-present
  • President, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, 2005-present
  • Chair, Consumer Advocare Network, 1999-present
  • President & CEO, Anemia Institute for Research & Education, 2000-2005
  • Professor, Psychology, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 1984-1999
  • Co-Vice-Chair, Steering Committee of Health Technology Assessment International Interest Group on Patient /Citizen Involvement
  • President, Canadian Hemophilia Society
  • Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Blood Services
  • Member, Board of Directors, National Blood Safety Council
  • Project Coordinator, Policy Dialogues for the Commission on the Future of Healthcare in Canada
  • Consultant, Ontario Premier’s Advisory Board on Organ Donation
  • Member, Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Committee on Vigilance of Health Products and Expert Advisory Panel on Special Access Programme
Education:
  • PhD, Social Psychology, McGill University (Montreal, Canada), 1981
  • MA, Social Psychology, McGill University
  • BA, Psychology, Barnard College
Other:
  • Twitter handle: @Durhane
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should Prescription Drugs Be Advertised Directly to Consumers?