poster
By Luke Chafer
Published: | Updated:
Facebook has been blasted by experts for allowing ‘dangerous’ unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on its platform.
Earlier this month, an ad for a prostate patch that claimed to relieve pain and ease urination problems was found to breach advertising rules by UK regulators. Sold by UK-based firm Nultqh GB, the advert claimed that clinical research showed the patches were ‘92 per cent’ effective at reducing prostate pain and ‘90 per cent’ effective at combatting frequent urination.
However, according to the Advertising Standards Agency, no such research exists.Moreover, the regulator added, that since the patches are not licensed by health regulators, Nultqh GB cannot advertise them as a medical treatment.
While the ad has since been removed, an investigation carried out by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered seven ads for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook. These include products created by the firm FivFivgo, which claims its patches provide ‘targeted, continuous relief and support for your prostate’.
Experts criticised Meta – the US firm which runs Facebook – for allowing the product to appear on its site, which they argue could be putting patients in danger.
Facebook has been blasted by experts for allowing ‘dangerous’ unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on its platform
An investigation carried out by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered seven ads for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook
‘Buying medicines from social media platforms can be dangerous because these unregulated sources often sell counterfeit, expired or substandard medicines, posing serious health risks,’ says Prof Claire Anderson, head of the Royal College of Pharmacology.
‘Unlike regulated pharmacies, sellers on social media don’t have to adhere to safety standards or legal requirements, making it impossible to know whether the products they’re selling are authentic and safe.
‘Social media companies need to do more to moderate and remove harmful content and products.’
A Meta spokesman said: ‘Ads that promote the sale of over-the-counter medicines must comply with all applicable local laws and we have removed the content for violating our policy. We continue to invest resources and further improve our enforcement on this kind of content.’
Nultqh GB and FivFivgo were approached for comment.
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