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# Proposed DTC Research on Ad Product Endorsements
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/proposed-dtc-research-on-ad-product-endorsements/
- Published: 2020-01-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:00:05.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5145932

FDA is seeking comments on two proposed studies entitled “Endorser Status and Explicitness of Payment in Direct-to-Consumer Promotion.” The agency intends to examine four types of endorsers in the studies (celebrity, physician, patient, and social media influencer) and it will examine whether the presence of a disclosure of their payment status influences participant reactions. It also proposes to test two different types of disclosure language — one direct and more consumer-friendly, and one less direct, according to an [FDA notice](https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-01408.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com).  

In both studies, the agency says it is interested in the “role of endorsement and payment status on participants’ recall, benefit and risk perceptions, and behavioral intentions.” Study participants will view one promotional piece and answer questions through the internet. “Dependent variables will include attention to disclosure statement and risk/benefit information; retention of risk/benefit information; recognition of piece as promotion and endorser as paid; perceived benefits and risks, attitudes toward the product, endorser, and ad; and behavioral intentions such as asking a doctor about the drug,” FDA says.