IHCA alerts public about fraudulent social media advertisements 

The IHCA has urged the public to be vigilant for fraudulent advertisements circulating on social media platforms in which doctors purport to endorse unauthorised products or services. 

The Association has been contacted by a number of its members in recent weeks to highlight that their name and image have been used without permission to promote dubious medicines or medical products. 

The advertisements included fake recommendations for products such as digestive remedies and slimming medicines, which are likely to be from untrustworthy suppliers. Using these unauthorised products could pose unforeseen health risks. 

Many of the advertisements also feature the names and logos of legitimate advocacy groups and health organisations, such as the Health Products Regulatory Authority, without their permission. Although the advertisements are generally removed shortly after a complaint is submitted, they often reappear within a matter of hours using a different doctor’s name and image. 

“Our members are deeply concerned that their identities are being stolen in order to lend these unauthorised products an air of legitimacy in the eyes of an unsuspecting public,” IHCA CEO Mr Jim Daly said. 

“Not only are they undermining doctors’ hard-earned professional reputations, but these products could undermine people’s health and wellbeing. We are urging everyone to be on alert if they see such advertisements online.” 

The IHCA has urged the public to be extremely cautious if they come across such advertisements online and to avoid any products that appear unfamiliar to them or appear to offer miracle cures. It also reminded the public that it is illegal for prescription drugs to be sold online and to avoid any websites that purport to do so.  

Anyone looking for advice on medicines or products should instead contact a qualified medical professional, such as their local doctor, nurse or pharmacy. 

The IHCA also urged legislators at national and EU level to take more effective action to tackle the proliferation of such fraudulent advertisements. 

“This is a phenomenon that doesn’t just affect consultants – professionals in other sectors have also had their good names’ used to endorse bogus products without their permission. The existing safeguards to prevent this abuse of trust clearly aren’t functioning properly and a new approach is now needed,” Mr Daly said.