FDA Asked To Investigate Online Marketing By Drug Companies

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) has asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the online marketing and behavioral targeting practices of pharmaceutical companies.

The CDD says few U.S. health consumers are aware they are being identified, labeled, profiled, and tracked on the Internet while they search or access information on specific conditions or concerns.

"The health and safety of U.S. consumers must be protected from inappropriate and potentially harmful use of digital marketing applications that have been embraced by pharmaceutical and health marketers," said Jeff Chester, Executive Director, CDD.

"It is essential that the FDA craft regulatory safeguards for Internet-related promotion, especially since interactive communications will become the dominant form for the delivery of health information and advertising to both consumers and health professionals."

The CDD asked the FDA to work with the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies to develop a set of policies for regulating the use of behavioral targeting and data collection in the marketing of drugs and health-related products.

The FDA held two days of hearings last November on the role of the Internet and marketing for regulated drugs. Chester said at those hearings, "pharmaceutical marketers purposely painted a sanitized, storybook image of social media marketing."

"Direct-to-Consumer Digital Marketing of pharmaceutical and health-related products requires the FDA to re-evaluate its standards for advertising practices, including what should be considered as truthful and non-misleading," he said.
 

FDA Warns Of Fake Diet Drug Sold Online

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about an unsafe, counterfeit version of the weight-loss drug Alli sold online.

FDA lab test found the counterfeit Alli has a different active ingredient, a stimulant found in prescription weight-loss drug. People using the fake Alli may be taking three times the usual daily dose of the stimulant if they are following the dosing directions for Alli.

This excessive amount of the stimulant may lead to stroke or heart attack in people who have a history of cardiovascular disease. Even healthy people can experience symptoms, including heart palpitations.

The counterfeit Alli product looks similar to the authentic product, with a few notable differences. The counterfeit Alli has:
   

 

• Outer cardboard packaging missing a "Lot" code;
•  Expiration date that includes the month, day, and year (e.g., 06162010); authentic Alli expiration date includes only the month and year (e.g.,: 05/12);
• Packaging in a plastic bottle that has a slightly taller and wider cap with coarser ribbing than the genuine product;
• Plain foil inner safety seal under the plastic cap without any printed words; the authentic product seal is printed with "SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION";
• Contains larger capsules with a white powder, instead of small white pellets.
   

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The FDA Targets Websites Over Drug Sales

The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on 136 websites it says were selling illegal or misbranded drugs to U.S. consumers.

The FDA says none of the websites are for pharmacies in the United States or Canada.

The agency has sent 22 warning letters to the operators of these websites and notified Internet service providers and domain name registrars that the websites were selling products that violated U.S. law.

The FDA says in many cases, because of the violations, Internet service providers and domain name registrars may have grounds to terminate the websites and suspend the use of domain names.

"The FDA works in close collaboration with our regulatory and law enforcement counterparts in the United States and throughout the world to protect the public," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.

"Many U.S. consumers are being misled in the hopes of saving money by purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet from illegal pharmacies. Unfortunately, these drugs are often counterfeit, contaminated, or unapproved products, or contain an inconsistent amount of the active ingredient. Taking these drugs can pose a danger to consumers."

The FDA's latest move was part of a coordinated, weeklong, international effort, called the International Internet Week of Action, aimed at curbing illegal activity involving medical products.
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> New Government Portal On YouTube

> Prescription Drugs Still Easy To Buy Online

>FDA Cracks Down On Online Claims Of Cancer Cures