A recurring topic here at MassTortDefense is the role of hazard communications in product safety, and the related issues of a consumer reading, heeding, or relying on such warnings. This is particularly true in the area of prescription drug litigation, focused on over at Drug and Device Law.

So, that makes a recent study in Medical Care interesting reading: Dusetzina, et al., Impact of FDA Drug Risk Communications on Health Care Utilization and Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review.

The paper reviews the literature of the past 20 years on the impact of FDA drug risk communications on medication utilization, health care services use, and health outcomes. These 50 or so studies covered roughly 16 therapeutic classes; most used medical or pharmacy claims and a few examined patient-provider communication, decision making, or risk perceptions.