The new rules, which cover both TV and radio, instruct drugmakers to use simple, consumer-friendly language when describing their drugs, without medical jargon, distracting visuals or audio effects. A 2007 law directed the FDA to ensure that drug risk information appears “in a clear, conspicuous and neutral manner.”

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

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