Preparing for the arrival of “pink Viagra”: strengthening Canadian direct-to-consumer information regulations

Bélisle-Pipon, Jean-Christophe; Williams‐Jones, Bryn

doi:10.1503/cmaj.150705

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(10 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this new song, Dear's core theme of love-seeking has been replaced by the fundamental issues of DTCA: patients' strong desire to have access to treatments that will relieve their symptoms and ideally cure them; their vulnerabilities when it comes to assessing commercial claims about certain products that may appear to either be miraculous, or specifically intended for them, due to informational asymmetry that favours companies over patients [5]; and the limited extent to which the informational aspect of DTCC really empowers patients when it may actually have the inverse effect of convincing them that a certain product is the solution to their health concerns [1,6]. While these issues can be discussed extensively and thoroughly in the scientific literature, their presentation in a song can help to give substance and clarity in order to enable understanding of their nature and extent, as well as to raise awareness about the pervasive effect of DTCC.…”

Section: Epiloguementioning

confidence: 99%

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Bélisle-Pipon

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the face of drugs advertising, what can we do? Is Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) designed to be beneficial by objectively presenting a product or are they rather seeking to convince us that their product is patently good? Through this song, the goal is to live the experience of a patient who is subject to drug advertising, by integrating into the stanzas the main ethical issues raised by advertising.

show abstract

Section: Epiloguementioning

confidence: 99%

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Bélisle-Pipon

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While it is understood that advertising by alternative cancer providers is a source of harmful misinformation, an important area yet to be explored is how alternative cancer treatment providers utilize paid social media advertising products and tools to market their services. As opposed to other types of nondigital direct-to-consumer and nonpaid social media promotional activities or strategies [35][36][37] (eg, hosting a Facebook page without paid advertisements), targeted advertisements are uniquely effective at reaching specific groups via tailored messaging with little cost. Social media advertisers can target users in a certain age group, gender, geographic area, and income group, as well as people who demonstrate specific interests [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advertising Alternative Cancer Treatments and Approaches on Meta Social Media Platforms: Content Analysis

Zenone¹,

Snyder²,

Bélisle-Pipon³

et al. 2023

JMIR Infodemiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Alternative cancer treatment is associated with a greater risk of death than cancer patients undergoing conventional treatments. Anecdotal evidence suggests cancer patients view paid advertisements promoting alternative cancer treatment on social media, but the extent and nature of this advertising remain unknown. This context suggests an urgent need to investigate alternative cancer treatment advertising on social media. Objective This study aimed to systematically analyze the advertising activities of prominent alternative cancer treatment practitioners on Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network. We specifically sought to determine (1) whether paid advertising for alternative cancer treatment occurs on Meta social media platforms, (2) the strategies and messages of alternative cancer providers to reach and appeal to prospective patients, and (3) how the efficacy of alternative treatments is portrayed. Methods Between December 6, 2021, and December 12, 2021, we collected active advertisements from alternative cancer clinics using the Meta Ad Library. The information collected included identification number, URL, active/inactive status, dates launched/ran, advertiser page name, and a screenshot (image) or recording (video) of the advertisement. We then conducted a content analysis to determine how alternative cancer providers communicate the claimed benefits of their services and evaluated how they portrayed alternative cancer treatment efficacy. Results We identified 310 paid advertisements from 11 alternative cancer clinics on Meta (Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger) marketing alternative treatment approaches, care, and interventions. Alternative cancer providers appealed to prospective patients through eight strategies: (1) advertiser representation as a legitimate medical provider (n=289, 93.2%); (2) appealing to persons with limited treatments options (n=203, 65.5%); (3) client testimonials (n=168, 54.2%); (4) promoting holistic approaches (n=121, 39%); (5) promoting messages of care (n=81, 26.1%); (6) rhetoric related to science and research (n=72, 23.2%); (7) rhetoric pertaining to the latest technology (n=63, 20.3%); and (8) focusing treatment on cancer origins and cause (n=43, 13.9%). Overall, 25.8% (n=80) of advertisements included a direct statement claiming provider treatment can cure cancer or prolong life. Conclusions Our results provide evidence alternative cancer providers are using Meta advertising products to market scientifically unsupported cancer treatments. Advertisements regularly referenced “alternative” and “natural” treatment approaches to cancer. Imagery and text content that emulated evidence-based medical providers created the impression that the offered treatments were effective medical options for cancer. Advertisements exploited the hope of patients with terminal and poor prognoses by sharing testimonials of past patients who allegedly were cured or had their lives prolonged. We recommend that Meta introduce a mandatory, human-led authorization process that is not reliant upon artificial intelligence for medical-related advertisers before giving advertising permissions. Further research should focus on the conflict of interest between social media platforms advertising products and public health.

show abstract

Digital Therapies (DTx) as New Tools within Physicians’ Therapeutic Arsenal: Key Observations to Support their Effective and Responsible Development and Use

Bélisle-Pipon

David

2023

Pharm Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Preparing for the arrival of “pink Viagra”: strengthening Canadian direct-to-consumer information regulations

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

Advertising Alternative Cancer Treatments and Approaches on Meta Social Media Platforms: Content Analysis

Digital Therapies (DTx) as New Tools within Physicians’ Therapeutic Arsenal: Key Observations to Support their Effective and Responsible Development and Use

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About