FDA: Public Health Rumors Put Patients at Risk

July 08, 2024

The FDA announced its latest initiative to thwart a rising tide of health misinformation.

Today, the public health agency issued updated “recommendations to empower industry seeking to voluntarily address misinformation about or related to their approved/cleared medical products.”

“The growing spread of rumors about science and medicine continues to put patients and consumers at risk,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, MD.  “We remain steadfast in our commitment to address this public health concern and continue to support and encourage all parties in the public health ecosystem to take an active role.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• The issue:  Social media and other online platforms are go-to sources for consumers looking for health and medical-related information, but these are not always credible or reliable sources.
• Concerning trend:  Companies are working to address unaffiliated celebrities, health care providers, or other influencers posting false, inaccurate, and/or misleading information about their FDA-approved medical devices/products.
• What it does: The FDA’s revised draft guidance outlines how companies can respond to misinformation about their products/devices and examples of the types of misinformation found online.
• Timeline:  The revised draft guidance is open for public comment for 60 days.
• Quotable:  “Basing medical decisions on misinformation can lead patients and health care providers  to choose treatments that are not safe and effective, or to forgo treatments that are, which can have adverse consequences,” the guidance notes.”

The draft guidance and the FDA’s rumor control public health page are available online.