Objective. We sought to assess dermatology journals' and dermatology journal editors' policies, practices, and attitudes toward prescription-medicine advertising in dermatology journals.

Methods: We searched dermatology journals' paper copies and World Wide Web sites for statements of advertising policy and sent surveys to dermatology journal editors.

Results: Of 22 journals, 8 (36.4%) had an advertising policy published in a paper copy or a World Wide Web site. Of 17 editors (70.8%) from 17 journals (77.3%) who responded to the survey, 3 reported having an advertising policy; these policies were also identified in searches of paper copies or World Wide Web sites. Two editors whose journals each had a published policy reported not having one. In all, 7 editors (41.2%) reported that they or other physician members of the editorial board reviewed advertisements before publication in the previous year. A total of 8 editors (47.1%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements in medical journals, including dermatology journals, generally present information that is accurate, and 12 (70.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly with the same statement regarding advertisements appearing in their own journal. in all, 12 editors (70.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements should be reviewed for accuracy by the editorial staff before publication, and 3 (17.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements should be reviewed for accuracy before publication in a peer-review process similar to that used for submitted manuscripts.

Limitations: This study did not assess processes by which editors or other members of editorial or publishing staffs review advertisements before publication.

Conclusions: Policies, practices, and attitudes toward advertising vary among dermatology journals and dermatology journal editors. journals, especially those without a policy, should consider establishing policies to separate and, therefore, minimize conflicts of interest between editorial and business aspects of publication.