Trump to go after pharma companies, social media influencers for ads without disclosure

"My Administration will ensure that the current regulatory framework for drug advertising results in fair, balanced, and complete information for American consumers,"

"We're at a place where they're spending 20% to 25% of their budgets on marketing and advertising, and the vast majority of that is advertising," said one senior White House official. "We would like to ask these companies instead of spending 20% to 25% of their budgets on these ads to lower drug prices for everyday Americans, which they can do and is a huge priority for this president."

"The loophole allows companies to post side effects or potential harms in another place, on a website, in print and simply state that they're referring people to that other source to get the full information."

The administration issued a memo directing increased enforcement against companies that run direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements without adequately disclosing medication side effects. Enforcement has diminished in recent years, with no letters sent last year, prompting renewed focus. The policy targets online pharmacies, social media companies, and paid influencers who promote drugs without following disclosure rules applicable to pharmaceutical companies. Officials criticized heavy advertising budgets and urged redirecting spending toward lowering drug prices. The administration intends to close the "adequate provision loophole" that allows side-effect information to be posted elsewhere with only a referral from the ad.

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