Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers

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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Publication Details

Journal
JAMA Network Open
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.2738
Primary Topic
Social Media in Health Education
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers

Raffael Heiss, Steven Woloshin, Sascha Gell, Erin Willis et al.
JAMA Network Open
Social Media in Health Education
article

Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers

Raffael Heiss, Steven Woloshin, Sascha Gell, Erin Willis, Elaina Vitale, Sneha Dave
article en

Abstract

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.

JAMA Network OpenVol. 9(3)
Dartmouth College (US), Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (US), University of Vienna (AT), University of Colorado System (US), Management Center Innsbruck (AT)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Social Media in Health Education
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Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers — Raffael Heiss, Steven Woloshin, et al. · JAMA Network Open (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS