By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: FDA Social Media Guidance: Hangout on Air
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > FDA Social Media Guidance: Hangout on Air
BusinessPolicy & LawSocial Media

FDA Social Media Guidance: Hangout on Air

David Harlow
David Harlow
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Last month, the FDA released draft guidance on social media and internet platforms with character space limitations and a separate draft guidance for correcting misinformation posted online. Some of us had been waiting for these guidelines for five years or more.

I discussed these guidance documents with Kathi Browne in a Google+ Hangout on Air:

Last month, the FDA released draft guidance on social media and internet platforms with character space limitations and a separate draft guidance for correcting misinformation posted online. Some of us had been waiting for these guidelines for five years or more.

I discussed these guidance documents with Kathi Browne in a Google+ Hangout on Air:

More Read

Hot Trend for Real Healthy Living
Medical Complications and Medical Negligence: What’s the Difference?
Your Gums and Your Heart -What’s the Connection?
Does Papa John’s Have a Legitimate Gripe About the Affordable Care Act?
Election 2012: Romneycare vs. Obamacare

Key takeaways:

  • The draft guidance makes use of Twitter and platforms like Google Ads extremely unattractive, because the vast majority of the “real estate” must be given over to brand and generic names, indications for use, benefits, risks, and a link to fuller information about risks.
  • The FDA addressed itself to short-form communication without considering the way in which it is used most effectively – not as a canvas for ads, but as a forum for conversation.
  • Unbranded tweetchats, Facebook pages, and the like were OK before the draft guidance was issued, and they still are.
  • The correction of misinformation guidance lowers the regulatory bar for corrections (vs. marketing messages that must meet higher standards and may be subject to pre-review).
  • The misinformation guidance does not require a drug or device manufacturer to address all misinformation online about its products. Corrections must be focused responses to what others put out there on line, and should link to fuller information where appropriate, but corrections should not include or link to promotional material.
  • The misinformation guidance delineates an area of opportunity for drug and device manufacturers.

Please take the time to watch the whole video if you are interested in this subject, and let’s continue the conversation in the comments section or in another online forum.

Interestingly, the FDA has already taken action based on its subregulatory draft interpretations of the statutes and regulations that are applicable in this arena. Specifically, it has sanctioned two companies – one, for branded use of Google Ad Words that did not comply with relevant requirements (the drug in question was being promoted as a cure for a condition, when in fact it has been approved only as a treatment for symptoms; the ad omitted risk information; the established name for the drug was not used; and the ad was not submitted to the FDA), and the other, for website, Twitter and Facebook claims about products sold over the counter that have never been subject to FDA review; and liking Facebook posts endorsing one or more of its products — which the FDA views as “misbranded” “new drugs” since the seller is making claims as to efficacy in treating certain conditions even though they had never been approved by the FDA.

The FDA is accepting comments on the draft guidance through mid-September.

TAGGED:FDA
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Blogging vs. Other Social Channels

July 27, 2014

What can we do about overuse of emergency rooms?

October 7, 2015

WATSON, ARE YOU THERE ?

November 3, 2012
Electronic Health Records
BusinesseHealthHospital AdministrationMedical Records

Top Benefits of Electronic Health Records for Psychiatrists and Psychologists

August 15, 2022
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?