The FDA sent out warning letters to several big pharmaceutical companies in March of this year warning them that their internet advetisements were misleading and did not disclose all the information that US regulations require them to. As a result, many companies pulled their ads completely, resulting in a 59% drop in sponsored link exposures, according to a new article from Search Engine Land.

These letters served the same purpose as the letters sent to Bayer warning them that their television ads for Yaz were misleading and failed to adequately disclose the risks of the medication. The article explains that it is difficult for these companies to include all of this information, as well as the benefits of their drugs in a small internet ad space. However, it is extremeley important for consumers to be aware of the risks that these drugs carry. Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella provide a clear example of just how dangerous the side effects of drugs can be.

Many pharmaceutical companies are now struggling to figure out how they can comply with the requirements of the FDA while still advertising on the internet. It is unclear if pharmaceutical internet advertising is something that will disappear, or if companies will start targeting the conditions these drugs are meant to treat rather than even mentioning the name of a specific drug in an ad. Whatever happens in the industry, the FDA should stay on top of the advertising done by these companies. The public needs to be aware of any potential side effects that these drugs can cause in order to make an informed decision about what drugs they choose to take.