Penn Bioethics Seminar (PBS): TikTok or TrickTalk? Pharmaceutical direct-to-consumer advertising on social media needs an update

Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Social Media Advertising

Sneha Dave
Executive Director, Generation Patient

Lunch is provided for in-person attendees.
Livestreaming available via Zoom.

Prescription medication advertisements directed at consumers have a murky history in the U.S. and as they transition increasingly to social media via influencers, the power of persuasion due to influencer endorsement is a significant concern. One of the most vulnerable groups are adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions, yet regulation and guidance surrounding advertisements on emerging platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have not caught up to the evolution of these evolving advertisements.

This lecture will include the current landscape of prescription drug advertisements on TikTok and Instagram, as well as recommendations for regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, social media companies, and pharmaceutical companies.