What's Happening?
A coalition of 35 attorneys general, led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, has called on Meta to enhance its enforcement of advertising policies related to pharmaceutical and wellness products
on its platforms, Instagram and Facebook. The coalition's letter, dated December 17, 2025, highlights a surge in ads promoting GLP-1 weight loss drugs, many of which involve non-FDA-approved versions and AI-generated content. These ads often exploit body image dissatisfaction and promise rapid weight loss without disclosing associated risks and side effects. The attorneys general argue that many of these ads conflict with Meta's existing policies, which require advertisers to provide information on medical effectiveness and affordability, limit targeting to adults, and avoid promoting unhealthy body images.
Why It's Important?
The action by the attorneys general underscores significant concerns about consumer protection in digital advertising, particularly for health-related products. Misleading ads can influence medical decisions, potentially leading to harmful outcomes for consumers. The coalition's efforts aim to ensure that advertising practices align with existing standards to protect users from deceptive claims. This is especially crucial as the popularity of GLP-1 medications grows, with their approved uses and known side effects requiring informed consideration. The call for stricter enforcement and additional measures, such as restricting ads to FDA-approved products and prohibiting AI-generated content, seeks to enhance transparency and reduce risks associated with unregulated or misrepresented products.
What's Next?
The coalition has recommended that Meta adopt additional measures to improve the transparency and safety of weight loss product advertisements. These include restricting prescription drug ads to FDA-approved products, requiring clear disclosures of risks and side effects, and redirecting users searching for weight loss products to educational resources. The attorneys general's action reflects a broader effort to address consumer protection in digital advertising, particularly as technology like AI enables more sophisticated promotional content. The outcome of this initiative could lead to changes in how Meta and other platforms manage health-related advertising, potentially influencing industry standards and practices.
