ICYMI Welcome to the TikTok Pharmacy
Feb 22, 2025
Sydney Lupkin, NPR's pharmaceuticals correspondent, dives into the captivating world of TikTok's influence on healthcare marketing. She discusses the rise of misleading health ads and the need for transparency, particularly around weight loss drugs. The conversation critiques the use of pop culture in promoting medications and explores the complexities of telehealth services on social media. With humor, Candice and Kate share early internet memories while emphasizing consumer vigilance in navigating the modern pharmaceutical landscape rife with scams.
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Hims & Hers Super Bowl Ad Controversy
- Hims & Hers' Super Bowl ad for GLP-1 medication sparked controversy.
- It was criticized for fat-shaming and misleadingly portraying the drug as life-changing.
Hims & Hers: The "Everything Pharmacy"
- Hims & Hers ads are pervasive, covering various health issues from hair loss to weight loss.
- Their branding and marketing tactics resemble a "buffet of pharmacy," offering solutions for any ailment.
Compounded Medications and Shortages
- Sydney Lupkin explains that compounded medications, offered by companies like Hims & Hers, fill a need during drug shortages.
- These medications are allowed due to exceptions for shortages but pose risks if not produced under strict standards.