FDA enlists doctors to police misleading drug ads

Updated
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical companies hoping to boost their marketing efforts with misleading ads that overlook the risks and overstate the effectiveness of drugs won't be getting a free ride anymore thanks to the FDA.

In its latest push to keep drug makers honest, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will soon begin asking doctors to pay special attention to drug advertisements and report those that violate FDA rules. Such violations include sales pitches that tout drugs' benefits but understate their risks, exaggerate how well drugs work, or suggest off-label uses not approved by regulators.

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