Memorandum on Addressing Misleading Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertisements

This memorandum from President Trump directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to address misleading advertisements for prescription drugs that are shown directly to consumers. The memo notes that Congress gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority in 1962 to regulate these types of advertisements. The President’s goal is to ensure that consumers receive fair, balanced, and complete information about prescription drugs when they are advertised directly to them.

The memorandum highlights concerns that these advertisements sometimes mislead the public about drug risks and benefits, encourage people to choose medication over healthier lifestyle changes, and interfere with the relationship between doctors and patients. Historically, the FDA has required drug companies to provide a lot of information about drugs in their advertisements, but over time, they have been allowed to include less information, especially in television ads.

Therefore, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will take steps to improve transparency and accuracy in these advertisements. The Commissioner of Food and Drugs will also be responsible for enforcing the FDA’s rules about truthful and non-misleading information in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising, ensuring that the regulations are followed.

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