Is Online Rx Advice Safe?

The internet is full of prescription (Rx) drug promotions. Many are promoted by social media influencers. The JAMA Network conducted a review of 12 articles published in peer-reviewed journals. They found that

social media influencer promotion of prescription drugs was consistently associated with misinformation, weak and outdated regulatory oversight, and audience difficulty in recognizing promotional intent when marketing was embedded in personal narratives[1]

JAMA Network further found that such promotion was often amplified through personal and emotionally resonate narratives in an environment with limited oversight and enforcement. They recommended -

• updated regulatory guidance,

• standardized and enforceable disclosure requirementrs,

• stronger platform accountability, and

• targeted digital literacy initiatives,

to proactively safeguard public health. Read the full report here.