Bad influencers: How social media imported US-style drug advertising to the UK

Direct-to-consumer advertising of medicines is banned in the UK, but borders are porous on the internet. <b>Deborah Cohen</b> reveals how a loophole in UK regulation means that influencers such as the Kardashians are reaching UK patients

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
BMJ
Published
2026-06-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2026-590532
Primary Topic
Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Bad influencers: How social media imported US-style drug advertising to the UK

Deborah Cohen
BMJ
Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
article

Bad influencers: How social media imported US-style drug advertising to the UK

Deborah Cohen
article en

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer advertising of medicines is banned in the UK, but borders are porous on the internet. <b>Deborah Cohen</b> reveals how a loophole in UK regulation means that influencers such as the Kardashians are reaching UK patients

BMJVol. 393
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
DOISourceOpenAlex
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Bad influencers: How social media imported US-style drug advertising to the UK — Deborah Cohen · BMJ (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS