Pharmaceutical Companies and Their Drugs on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Drug Information on Popular Social Media Sites

摘要: Background: Many concerns have been raised about pharmaceutical companies marketing their drugs directly to consumers on social media. This form of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) can be interactive and, because it is largely unmonitored, the benefits treatment could easily overemphasized compared risks. Additionally, nonexpert share own drug product testimonials media and illegal online pharmacies market services popular sites. There great potential for public exposed misleading or dangerous information Objective: Our central aim was examine how use interact with general drugs. We also sought analyze nature that appears in search results widely used United States Facebook, Twitter, YouTube a particular emphasis presence pharmacies. Methods: Content analyses were performed (1) content accounts top 15 world (2) when searching 20 purchased States. Notably, company-specific analysis, we examined similar various forms DTCA, audience reach company postings, quantity quality company-consumer interaction. For drug-specific documented pharmacies, personal testimonials, efficacy claims. Results: From found help-seeking DTCA 40.7% (301/740) companies’ posts. Drug claims present only 1.6% (12/740) Overall, there substantial amount who interacted through commenting (23.9%, 177/740). majority contained (69.4%, 482/695); more mentioned (44.8%, 216/482) relative risks (27.2%, 131/482). approximately 25% (150/603) posts Twitter presented as testimonials. A considerable percentage Facebook advertisements (17%, 16/92). Conclusions: Pharmaceutical avoid making but frequently post consistent FDA definitions DTCA. Thousands people often view posted by media; users postings both direct indirect influence possible. Finally, are likely [J Med Internet Res 2015;17(6):e130]