Pharmaceuticals Won't Tweet

The Food and Drug Administration is keeping a close watch on drug companies so that they don't cross federal marketing restrictions. These restrictions currently don't allow drug companies to participate in online social sites. Highly regulated drug companies such as Merck and Eli Lilly are restricted from using Twitter, Facebook or any other social media sites. However, drug companies and consumers alike are questioning these regulations and looking for better answers.

In a recent study, more than 60% of Americans turn to the internet for medical information. Of that number, over half use social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and online forums to discuss with one another about symptoms and treatments. Many of these pharmaceutical companies would love to participate in these online discussions. These drug companies have customers that are yearning for good information now. Unfortunately, what those customers are finding online is wrong and potentially dangerous. Currently the FDA does no monitoring at all for these online sites.

So why is there apprehension by the pharmaceutical companies to participate on the web? Presently, the FDA requires drug companies to disclose in all advertising possible side effects and drug interactions for their products. Disclosure becomes much easier with direct to consumer advertising such as magazine and television commercials. Some estimates had pharmaceutical companies spending more than $4 billion last year on print and television advertising.

Early in 2009 there were some drug companies that tried marketing display ads with Google and Yahoo search engines. After the ads went up the FDA warned those companies that they would have to display drug side effects and interactions. Display ads for search engines typically don't have the room to explain all that. Due to that restriction, most drug companies gave up on this type of advertising.

The FDA needs to come up with clear and concise regulations concerning drug company interaction on the web. Can a pharmaceutical company correct invalid information it might find in an online forum? Can they update consumers using sites like Wikipedia? Are they responsible to the FDA to report any consumer issues found online? What regulations are there for the separation of drug marketing and drug information? Ultimately, the FDA will need to begin listening to the American drug consumer and start to give them what they want, which are correct, concise answers to their pharmaceutical needs.