If you respond to an advertisement, however, exercise caution. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, advertisements are sometimes misleading and may make claims that cannot be supported by available data. The use of placebos is controversial, particularly in Phase III trials. Researchers generally agree that placebos are not appropriate if there is a treatment that prolongs life or preserves its quality. In these situations, new treatments are compared with standard therapy.
Discussion continues about what to do in other circumstances.
As a general rule, placebos are not used if the standard treatment is consistently effective.