FDA enlists doctors to help spot misleading drug advertisements

The FDA Bad Ad Program

“…3,4 ■ Bad Ad Program The FDA has taken the initiative to launch the "Bad Ad Program" to educate health professionals about false and misleading prescription drug advertisements. 5,6 Prescription drug advertisements must meet the following requirements: provide accurate information, contain a fair balance of risks and benefi ts, be consistent with FDA prescribing information, and only include information supported by strong evidence from clinical studies. 7 The FDA's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC) has recognized common violations including omitting or downplaying the risks, overstating the effectiveness, promoting off-label uses, and stating misleading drug comparisons.…”