FDA Draft Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Social Media

Samantha Reba

Junior Writer

Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidelines addressing responsibilities of pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors related to real-time online communications and interactions. The proposal outlines various levels of responsibility related to content posted by or about a company. The guidelines cover but are not limited to corporate blogs, microblogs, online communities, podcasts, Facebook, and Twitter.

The guidelines limit pharmaceutical companies’ responsibility for content posted via social media where they have no control over or ownership of the platform or content. Firms would be held increasingly responsible in situations where they have powers of editorial review or otherwise influence posted content. The FDA draft calls for companies to send monthly reports of all covered online activity to the agency. If companies have any input into posted material, it would need to be reported to the FDA. 

The pharmaceutical industry has until April to submit comments and suggestions to the FDA concerning the guidelines. Until then, firms are being asked to file monthly reports while the debate over user-generated content continues. The new rules should allow more flexibility regarding interactions with patients via social media channels without requiring an audit of every comment submitted. Many questions remain to be answered but for now the discussion appears to be moving in the right direction.

How to Successfully Engage With Patients Through Social Media

Samantha Reba

Junior Writer

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines social media as “forms of media that allow people to communicate and share information using the Internet or mobile phones.”

In the 21^st century patients of all ages are looking towards the Internet for answers and often their first stop is a social media site. According to a recent survey by the National Research Corporation, “about 20 percent of patients already use social media to glean healthcare information. Facebook tops the list of sites that survey respondents use for such purposes, followed by YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, and FourSquare.”

Social media is extremely important for pulling patients in the most helpful and information-driven direction. Pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and professional organizations can help bridge the gap between health education and patients by supplying interesting, relevant, and credible information from trusted sources. A website or blog post can relay facts, but there is more to engaging patients than just handing them information. Facebook and Twitter are the social media portals for connecting patients with other patients, organizations, and company news and updates that are relevant to a patient’s needs. 

Facebook and Twitter are forums where up-to-date information is constantly being pushed through to patients. Patients in turn can ask questions, follow, retweet, and engage with pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and fellow patients. Pharmaceutical companies are becoming more social-media savvy by posting content that is pertinent for their intended audience. Healthcare providers are building patient relationships over social media by recommending articles, links, and helpful tools while tracking disease trends. 

Healthcare providers keep information general enough to avoid revealing information on specific cases or offering medical advice that would be better talked about face-to-face. Twitter presents a unique capability for bringing users together through the use of similar hashtags and searches. Both services make great listening tools. 

A successful patient and social media connection relies on a constant wave of information and interaction. Patients want answers and want to know that their concerns are being heard. 

Artcraft Health Education can help! As a trusted patient education company, AHE can help keep the lines of communication open through social media by giving patients searching for information the content they need. AHE is responsible for creating discussions on social media platforms through invigorating topics, features, and news articles that are relevant to the healthcare and patient education industry. 

Looking to learn more about Artcraft Health Education’s social media activities? Check out and follow by clicking the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/ArtcraftHealthEducation

https://twitter.com/ArtcraftHealth 

http://www.linkedin.com/company/artcraft-health-education