Attitudes of physicians, pharmacists, and laypersons toward seriousness and need for disclosure of prescription drug side effects.

How much information should be provided to patients about prescription drug side effects? What determines the perceived seriousness of a drug side effect and how does seriousness relate to the need to inform patients about that effect? This study explored these questions in a survey of laypersons, physicians, and pharmacists. The results indicated that pain, effect on one's ability to carry out everyday activities, and threat to life were the key determinants of a side-effect's seriousness. Laypeople tended to judge most side effects as more serious than did pharmacists and physicians. Whereas the health professionals tended to want minor side effects listed only if they occur quite frequently, laypeople tended to want all potential effects listed, no matter how rarely they occur or how minor they are. The practical and political implications of these findings are discussed.