Outlook Business Desk
The Donald Trump administration, on Tuesday, issued a presidential memorandum cracking down on pharmaceutical advertisements across television and social media, aiming to increase patient transparency while potentially affecting billions in annual spending by drug companies and media outlets.
The memorandum directs federal health agencies to require pharmaceutical companies to disclose additional side effects in their advertisements and enforces existing rules against misleading claims, reflecting the administration’s focus on patient safety and informed decisions.
Unlike many other nations, only the US and New Zealand permit direct-to-consumer drug advertising, as per Bloomberg. The new rules won’t completely prohibit these ads but will impose tougher side-effect disclosure requirements, addressing a key priority long advocated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In 2024, pharmaceutical companies spent $10.8 billion on direct-to-consumer advertising, with AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company known for drugs like Humira, and Pfizer, as the top spenders. AbbVie alone spent $2 billion in promoting Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which earned over $6.5 billion in Q2 2025. The new regulations could affect media revenue streams reliant on such advertising.
The Food and Drug Administration (FADA) is also stepping up enforcement against misleading drug advertisements. On Tuesday, it issued about 100 enforcement letters and thousands of warning notices, targeting online pharmacies that promoted medications without listing their side effects.
Supporters of pharmaceutical advertising argue that these ads encourage patients to consult their doctors about health concerns. Critics, however, note that the promotions usually highlight costly brand-name medications. Officials have pointed out that some ads clearly violate regulations, making future legal action likely.
The Trump administration is now examining how social media influencers promote pharmaceutical products, making sure they adhere to the same disclosure standards as TV ads. Companies directing patients to websites for side effect details will face stricter reporting rules, which could make advertisements significantly longer.
Telehealth companies, which operate differently from traditional pharmaceutical firms, are now facing closer scrutiny. A Super Bowl advertisement by Hims & Hers Health Inc. drew criticism for not fully disclosing risks. The Trump administration will monitor such companies under its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Implementation of the new advertising rules will involve the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice. This joint effort aims to monitor pharmaceutical companies, telehealth providers, and social media influencers, ensuring patient safety and transparent drug marketing.