What Google and Facebook Have to Do with the FDA

[Justin]

What Google and Facebook Have to Do With the FDA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009, 2:11 PM ET
By Jacob Goldstein

It looks like the FDA is finally moving toward clarifying what’s long been a gray area for drug and device makers: How to deal with the Internet.

At a public hearing in November, the agency will try to hash out tricky subjects like what companies should do about reports of drug side effects appearing online, and how/whether companies should deal with wrong or misleading information that shows up on the Internet. Some companies try to correct information on sites like Wikipedia; others stay out of the fray, for fear of being on the hook for correcting everything once they start wading in...

LINK to original Wall Street Journal article.

_________________________________

FDA to hold public hearing regarding web information.

The Wall Street Journal (9/23, Goldstein) "Health Blog" reports that the FDA is moving towards clarifying how drug and device makers should deal with the Internet. At a public hearing in November, the agency will attempt to determine what companies should do about reports of drug side effects appearing online, and how or whether companies should deal with wrong or misleading information that shows up on the Internet. The hearing will also look at how rules for presenting balanced information apply to online ads and social networking sites.

[Jesse]

wow! Very interesting.