Advocacy Impact

A “Dose” of Clarity

Misinformation surrounding medications can have serious consequences for patient care and individual well-being.¹ It perpetuates stigma and distrust around medication use, often delaying treatment initiation and reducing adherence for those who could benefit most.

The ASPET Drug Research Policy Subcommittee, in collaboration with the Policy and Advocacy Education Outreach Subcommittee, aims to address recent widespread misunderstandings about commonly used medications. To accomplish this, the subcommittee developed an educational campaign series, A “Dose” of Clarity. Each installment of A “Dose” of Clarity tackles common myths surrounding a medication by summarizing the current scientific evidence and highlighting key takeaways from the most relevant studies. These insights are translated into concise, one-page infographics designed for easy sharing across social media and within local communities.

For more than a century, ASPET has served as a trusted source of rigorously validated scientific information on drugs, drug use, and human biology, supporting informed decision-making among scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public. We hope that A “Dose” of Clarity will help to spread this timely and vital information in an accessible way. We encourage scientists and advocates to use these resources in their personal outreach whether at the dinner table, in the classroom, or on Capitol Hill!

The first installment of A “Dose” of Clarity focuses on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), a widely prescribed class of medications. SSRIs are surrounded by persistent misinformation, impacting the care of the approximately 11% of U.S. adults currently taking an antidepressant.²