The Bayer ads claimed that a regular aspirin regimen is appropriate for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes in the general adult population. The FTC alleged that since some adults are less likely to benefit from a daily aspirin regime, and some may suffer adverse health effects from taking aspirin on a daily basis, the ad claims were unsubstantiated.
Consumers deserve to have accurate information in advertising, especially on health issues.
The consumer education material developed to settle the FTC's complaint will help alert consumers to the fact that, while some can benefit from an aspirin regimen, others may not, and all consumers should consult a doctor first. This education campaign will help to clear up possible confusion about the proper use and safety of aspirin in the prevention of heart attack or stroke. One of the most important messages of this campaign is the suggestion that people should talk to their doctor before taking aspirin on a regular basis. As successor to Sterling Drug, Bayer is bound by a 1985 FTC order barring it from making therapeutic claims for over the counter analgesics unless it possesses competent and reliable evidence to support the claim. However, regular aspirin use can, itself, cause health problems such as an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and prolonged bleeding time.