Social media influencers are promoting medications with inaccurate or misleading advice

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-03-24 02:00

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Social media influencers' promotion of prescription drugs is linked with misinformation, and a blurring of personal stories with paid promotion, according to a review of the research. The review looked at 12 research studies covering topics such as contraceptives, performance-enhancing drugs, and broader medicine promotion. They found three recurring themes: misinformation, weak regulatory oversight and inconsistent disclosure practices, and a blurring of the distinctions between personal testimony and paid promotion. One example the researchers describe is Khloé Kardashian’s promotion of the migraine drug rimegepant sulfate, which included claims that the FDA later deemed false and misleading.

News release

From: JAMA

Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers

About The Study: This systematic scoping review study of prescription drug promotion by influencers found that such promotion carried risks of inaccurate or misleading advice, often amplified through personal and emotionally resonant narratives in an environment with limited oversight and enforcement. Despite the small and fragmented evidence base, these findings highlight the urgent need for updated regulatory guidance, standardized and enforceable disclosure requirements, stronger platform accountability, and targeted digital literacy initiatives. Policymakers and researchers should act proactively to safeguard public health.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: MCI Management Center, Austria

Funder: this research was funded in part by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) under Grant-DOI 10.55776/P35052.

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