Placebo prescriptions common in primary care, raising ethical and clinical concerns

Study details: This cross-sectional survey included 952 practicing general practitioners (GPs) from 20 European countries and Israel. Conducted between December 2019 and August 2021, the study assessed how often GPs prescribe treatments they believe don’t improve symptoms via pharmacological or biological mechanisms (termed “essentially placebo treatments"). Respondents reported prescription frequency and provided demographic and professional background data.

Results: Of the 952 responding GPs, 84% reported prescribing an essentially placebo treatment at least once – typically vitamins, supplements, or alternative therapies, with pure placebos being rare. The median prescribing rate was 0.5 per week, accounting for 0.67% of consultations. While overall prescribing patterns were similar across demographics, male GPs and those with more clinical experience were significantly more likely to use these treatments.

Clinical impact: Although individual prescribing rates were low, the cumulative population-level use raises ethical concerns and potential risks to patient trust and safety. These findings underscore the need for clearer guidelines and education around placebo use in clinical practice, especially given the lack of transparency in patient communication and the potential for adverse effects from active but non-indicated treatments.

Source:

Wolters F, et al. (2025, September 2). JAMA Netw Open. Prescriptions of Essentially Placebo Treatments Among General Practitioners in 21 Countries. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40965881/