Warning Labels

Despite the widespread debate on the merits and demerits of warning label disclosures on over-the-counter (OTC) drug products and the "brief summary" of side-effects required of manufacturers in prescriptions to warning label information on drug products would be of help to health care professionals, public policy makers in the FDA, and to drug manufacturers. This study has several purposes. First, to explore the past research on the effect of negative information such as warning labels on consumers' risk perceptions towards drug products. Second, to examine the use of the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework for the research questions. Third, to examine the role of expertise and its relation to consumer risk perceptions. Finally, to propose research hypotheses based on the reviewed literature.