By David Cohen on November 13, 2009 5:33 PM

Debate Continues Over Drug Promotion via Social Media

On the second day of hearings at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C., several speakers were adamantly against the promotion of regulated pharmaceutical products on Websites and social-media networks, AdAge.com reported.

The hearings were prompted by the lack of regulations regarding marketing on the Internet, and the aim is to establish guidelines for how drug makers can promote their products, according to AdAge.com.

Some of the speakers, as reported by AdAge.com:

Consumers Union senior health policy analyst Steven Findlay:

Drug companies should not be engaged in promotion of their products via e-mail, text messaging or social-network sites. It should be done on their own site. Apps for smartphones and other digital devices should have risk information, as well.

Ad executive Kim Witczak:

Existing guidelines that apply to print should apply to online. The risks are an absolute must. I’m torn on the subject. Professionally, we use (the Web) all the time. Pharma companies hire the best and brightest in the business to help build brands. The Internet gives us an opportunity to have an ongoing dialogue. But it also has a history of secrecy and anonymity. Prescription drugs are serious business.

Bridge Worldwide director of strategic planning Jonathan Richman:

Beyond any other marketing issue, this is by far the one getting the most attention. For more than a year, a number of people have publicly called on the FDA to issue specific guidance around the proper use of social media. I’m optimistic that this hearing is the start of a process that will clarify many of the nagging questions healthcare companies have regarding the proper use of social media. I hope this will open up a new era in communication between patients, doctors and healthcare companies, all with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.