"This ad, from online pharmacy service Rocky Health Inc., began running on online platforms Facebook and Instagram last October. But while its prurient humour may be distasteful to some, there is a deeper issue with this promotion: By promising customers that Viagra will allow them to "say goodbye to ED," or erectile dysfunction, Rocky is running afoul of Canadian laws about drug advertising."
"These kinds of direct-to-consumer messages are common in the United States. But in Canada they are restricted: Ads that feature the name of a prescription drug cannot say what it does, and vice versa. For example, an ad encouraging someone to talk to their doctor about erectile dysfunction cannot also name that little blue pill. Rocky is far from the only company skirting these rules."
"The Globe and Mail reviewed the advertising library of Meta Platforms Inc., which owns Facebook and Instagram, and found dozens of examples of ads that appeared to contravene Canadian regulations from online prescription services and virtual pharmacies - including from Rocky Health Inc., Pocketpills and its subsidiary DooÜ Health Ltd., Felix Health Inc., Essential Clinic, Kinro Health Inc., Jack & Jill Health Inc. and Phoenix Digital Health Inc., which owns services under the Phoenix and Raven brands."
An online Rocky Health Inc. ad used a humorous elephant clip to imply that Viagra would let customers "say goodbye to ED." Canadian law bars advertisements from naming a prescription drug and describing its effects in the same promotion. The expansion of telehealth coincides with increased, aggressive advertising for in-demand medications, including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, often promising discreet home delivery. A review of Meta Platforms Inc.'s advertising library found dozens of ads from virtual pharmacies and online prescription services that appeared to contravene Canadian advertising rules. Multiple companies removed ads after being questioned about them.
Read at The Globe and Mail
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