How Big Pharma Uses PR Firms to Shape Messages

Your favorite social media influencers might be under the influence. Discover the truth about Big Pharma and the social media influencer marketing corruption tactics they use to spread health misinformation online. Don’t let Big Pharma influencers affect your health choices!

0:00 Introduction: Big Pharma exposed

0:55 How Big Pharma buys influencers

1:24 Big Pharma corruption and lack of trust

2:24 How Big Pharma controls the media

7:11 How to identify health misinformation online

11:36 Myth-busting online

Did you know that Big Pharma and Big Food buy social media influencers? These social media health gurus influence what you eat, the decisions you make about your health, and attempt to invalidate other health influencers and information. As Big Pharma loses public trust, it turns to social media influencers to try to regain it.

Since 2000, penalties for Big Pharma have totaled over $126 billion. Sixty billion of that was related to patient injury and harm. Modern medicine, with the help of Big Pharma, has shifted its focus from health to profit.

Approximately 90% of the media on TV is funded by Big Pharma. This is also true for digital marketing. On average, social media influencers are paid $20 to $25 per 1,000 views. If that influencer has more trust, they can make 8 to 12 times this amount. Based on my trustworthiness and credibility, I could be paid between $250,000 and $500,000 for a 60- to 90-second post.

Big Pharma goes through PR firms to connect with social media influencers. These influencers are required to disclose that they’re being paid, but many of them do not. People like Dr. Mike recommend medicine and vaccines yet claim Big Pharma is not paying them.

Dietitians for larger agencies, such as the American Beverage Association and the Canadian Sugar Institute, have gotten into trouble with the FTC for being paid to share dietary advice without disclosing their financial ties.

It’s often difficult to determine whether Big Pharma is influencing health information online, but examining the intention can sometimes help. Are they recommending fewer ultra-processed foods and chemical drugs, or more? Check out their funding. Is it coming from Big Food or Big Pharma? This is a big sign that they’re being influenced.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:

Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.Disclaimer:

Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.