FDA cracks down on drug companies’ use of web marketing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding drug companies that they are required to disclose side effects or risks about their medications in advertising, even banner ads and Facebook “share” buttons. The agency recently required Novartis Pharmaceuticals to take down a Facebook Share button used to promote a cancer-fighting drug, saying it was “incomplete and misleading” and violated advertising disclosure requirements. Novartis removed the widget but says it will continue to discuss the parameters of web advertising and social media marketing with the FDA in order to fully understand the agency’s concerns.