Facebook blasted by experts for allowing ‘dangerous’ unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on platform
Facebook has been criticised by experts for allowing “dangerous” unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on its platform.
Earlier this month, an advert for a prostate patch claiming to relieve pain and ease urinary problems was found to have breached advertising rules by UK regulators. The advert, sold by UK-based company Nultqh GB, claimed that clinical trials showed the patches were “92 per cent” effective at reducing prostate pain and “90 per cent” effective at combating frequent urination.
However, according to the Advertising Standards Agency, no such research exists. Furthermore, the regulator added, Nultqh GB is not allowed to promote the patches as a medical treatment because they are not licensed by health authorities.
Although the advert has since been removed, an investigation by The Mail on Sunday uncovered seven adverts for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook. These included products from the company FivFivgo, which claims its patches provide “targeted, continuous relief and support for your prostate”.
Experts criticized Meta, the US company that runs Facebook, for allowing the product to appear on its site, which they said could put patients at risk.
Facebook has been criticised by experts for advertising ‘dangerous’, unregulated prostate treatments on its platform
An investigation conducted by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered seven advertisements for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook
“Buying medicines via social media platforms can be dangerous as these unregulated sources often sell counterfeit, expired or poor quality medicines, posing serious health risks,” said Prof Claire Anderson, head of the Royal College of Pharmacology.
‘Unlike regulated pharmacies, social media sellers are not required to adhere to safety standards or regulatory requirements, making it impossible to know whether the products they are selling are authentic and safe.
‘Social media companies must do more to moderate and remove harmful content and products.’
A Meta spokesperson said: ‘Ads promoting the sale of over-the-counter medications must comply with all applicable local laws and we removed the content because it violated our policies. We continue to invest resources and improve our enforcement of this type of content.’
Nultqh GB and FivFivgo were asked for comment.