Summary of article from Nelson Hardiman, LLP, by Harry Nelson:
The U.S. healthcare system, driven by a complex mix of economic considerations, permits direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, unlike many other Western nations. However, this practice can lead to misleading claims and deceptive marketing, especially affecting vulnerable individuals. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has increased scrutiny on such practices, as evidenced by lawsuits against companies like AWAREmed and Rejuvika for misleading advertising. In 2024, the FTC also penalized telehealth providers, Cerebral and Monument, for violating confidentiality and misusing personal data. The FTC’s actions signal a shift towards protecting consumers from deceptive healthcare marketing practices.