Set to become compulsory Nov. 20, the regulation isn't likely to make pharma ads easier for consumers to comprehend, but should aid in drugmakers’ ability to meet the fair-balance standard.

The new rules become binding on November 20, but many drug companies have already been acting within these requirements. Companies have always been required by the FDA to give a b

Those ever-present TV drug ads showing patients hiking, biking or enjoying a day at the beach could soon have a different look: New rules require drugmakers to be clearer and more direct when explaining their medications' risks and side effects.

The agency’s new guidelines are created to eliminate pharmaceutical company practices that minimize or distract consumers from knowing risk information about drugs.

The new rules instruct drugmakers to use simple, consumer-friendly language when describing their drugs, without medical jargon.