Parker Waichman LLP

FDA Cites Novartis Tasigna Facebook Promo

Drug maker Novartis was just issued a warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for how it marketed a specific drug on social media giant, Facebook, wrote Bloomberg Business Week. The FDA warned Nonartis that how it is using Facebook’s Share button to market information about the cancer-fighting drug, Tasigna, violates FDA requirements […]

Drug maker <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_drugs">Novartis was just issued a warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for how it marketed a specific drug on social media giant, Facebook, wrote Bloomberg Business Week.

The FDA warned Nonartis that how it is using Facebook’s Share button to market information about the cancer-fighting drug, Tasigna, violates FDA requirements for how to disclose drug information, said Bloomberg Business Week. The letter, sent to Novartis Pharmaceuticals on July 29, advised that use of Facebook Share, in this case, is both incomplete and misleading. According to Jeffrey Chester, a privacy advocate and executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, this might be the first time the agency has had to issue a warning to a drug maker for its use of Facebook for marketing, according to Bloomberg Business Week.

The letter asks Novartis to cease using Facebook’s Share option to market the leukemia drug, reported Bloomberg Business Week. The letter appears on the FDA’s website.

“The shared content is misleading because it makes representations about the efficacy of Tasigna but fails to communicate any risk information associated with the use of this drug,” said the FDA letter, signed by Karen Rulli, acting group letter of the agency’s Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications. “In addition, the shared content inadequately communicates Tasigna’s FDA-approved indication and implies superiority over other products,” Rulli wrote, quoted Bloomberg Business Week.

FDA mandates that medication promotional pieces generally contain information about drug risks, according to the letter, which also stated that such materials are misleading if they suggest a “drug is safer or more effective than another drug when this superiority has not been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience,” wrote the FDA, quoted Bloomberg Business News. The letter pointed out that Novartis did not notify the FDA of the Tasigna promotion, an agency requirement.

We recently wrote about other Novartis trouble in which Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation agreed to a $72.5 million payout to settle civil False Claims Act allegations originating with the marketing of cystic fibrosis drug TOBI, said the Justice Department. The settlement resolved allegations that, between January 1, 2001 and July 31, 2006, Novartis and its predecessor, Chiron Corporation, caused false claims to be submitted to federal health care programs for certain off-label uses of the inhaled antibiotic which was approved by the FDA for use in certain cystic fibrosis patients.

For more information, check out how vaccine injury lawyers can help with your case

The United States alleged that Chiron, and later, Novartis, marketed TOBI for unapproved, or off label, uses for diseases other than cystic fibrosis, as well as for cystic fibrosis patients not meeting criteria for the FDA-approved indication, and for uses for which TOBI was not a medically accepted. According to the government, it alleged these actions resulted in false claims to federal health care programs.

The current FDA warning letter points to issues with websites that seek marketing dollars from Big Pharma, said Chester, who asked the FDA in March to look into online drug marketing wrote Bloomberg Business News. Chester noted that Facebook should create protection medication—and other health products—marketing that appears on it site.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Honestly had the best experience with Parker Waichman. Big shout out to Aurora and Jillian for all their hard work getting everything done efficiently with an amazing outcome! Highly recommended using this firm!
Greg Magno
6 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman LLP helped me with my claim and proceeded to fight for what was right, just and fair. Their attorneys and staff were very professional, kind and understanding. I would furthermore like to point out that Benita Rollis was especially kind to me and extremely knowledgeable with explaining the process and what to expect. Thank you.
Gaetano Buttari
10 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
My husband and I could never had gotten through the stress and anxiety of this process without the knowledge and kindness of the Parker Waichman staff but most certainly, not without the help of our paralegal, Christine Morace. She's not only knowledgeable but has been calming and reassuring throughout. Thank you Christine.
Iris Frank
4 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038