Trump signs memorandum pressuring pharma companies to abide by ad laws

"President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Tuesday pressuring pharmaceutical companies to abide by transparency laws in their advertising, particularly on social media. The administration will follow up by sending 100 cease and desist enforcement letters and thousands of warning letters to the companies, administration officials said. The goal, administration officials said on a call with reporters Tuesday morning, is to use laws that are already on the books to ensure people receive transparent, accurate information about drugs, especially potential risk factors."

"Multiple studies of pharmaceutical promotions on social media have found that the information is often of lower quality than someone would get if they spoke to their doctor -- and also often skirts the FDA's regulatory guidelines. For example, a 2015 study found that only one-third of posts listed the possible harms of drugs. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, September 4, 2025 in Washington."

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum pressuring pharmaceutical companies to follow transparency laws in advertising, especially on social media. The administration will send 100 cease-and-desist enforcement letters and thousands of warning letters to companies. The goal is to use existing laws to ensure people receive transparent, accurate information about drugs and risk factors. Products promoted on platforms like Instagram and TikTok often feature influencers who do not clearly identify as paid spokespeople. Multiple studies found that pharmaceutical promotions on social media provide lower-quality information than medical consultations and often skirt FDA guidelines; a 2015 study found only one-third of posts listed possible drug harms. The policy may unsettle online pharmacies but is expected to be welcomed by pharmaceutical companies.

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