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Pharma Companies Must Assure Their ‘House Is In Order’ As FTC Takes Aim At Deceptive Endorsements

 
• By Brenda Sandburg

US FTC sends notices to more than 700 companies about penalties they will face if they use deceptive endorsements and testimonials to promote their products. Industry experts discuss impact of surprising action and cautions to take in teaming up with influencers.

Endorsement
US FTC notifies companies about hefty penalties for deceptive endorsements of their products • Source: Alamy

Numerous pharmaceutical companies were among those who received a notice from the US Federal Trade Commission warning them of the penalties they face for using deceptive endorsements and testimonials in product promotions. The action signals the agency’s intent to go after companies for such practices and puts pressure on them to be more cautious in their use of endorsers.

The FTC announced on 13 October that it sent notices to more than 700 companies. The list includes AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Inc., AstraZeneca LP, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc.,GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Kite Pharma, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc

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