• where experts go to learn about FDA
  • Dara Katcher Levy

    • But Is It Insta-Worthy? OPDP’s First Letter of 2022February 7th, 2022

      Well, OPDP is kicking off 2022 in a big way – taking on an Eli Lilly Instagram post with video for Trulicity.  This is the second time in a little over a month that Eli Lilly has found itself caught in OPDP’s cross-hairs.  On the …

    • It Takes Three [Components] to Make a Thing Go Riiiiiight – OPDP Challenges Two-Part AdJanuary 26th, 2022

      We are working to keep up with OPDP’s posts over the past few weeks and a blog on its most recent letter to Lilly is forthcoming! With apologies to Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, it took more than “two” to get this Emgality DTC TV …

    • Is Facebook Ghosting Pharma?September 1st, 2021

      In what appears to be an “about face” in terms of Facebook’s historical wooing of big pharma (are we the only ones that immediately thought, “More Cowbell” when seeing that headline?  You can thank us for that 5 minute rabbit hole later), the social media …

    • Facebook “Pokes” Pharma Companies, Telehealth, and Online PharmaciesAugust 6th, 2021

      We are old enough to remember the “poke” function on Facebook, and too old to remember what purpose it served.  We are similarly at a loss to understand the purpose of Facebook’s new policy requiring that pharmaceutical manufacturers, telehealth companies, and online pharmacies apply for …

    • What’s in a name? FDA Calls out Amgen for MisdirectionJuly 16th, 2021

      In case you missed it, FDA took to email and social media earlier this week (the equivalent of shouting it from the rooftops) to announce that it has notified Amgen Inc. of Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) misbranding due to false or misleading promotion.  This is OPDP’s second …

    • Keeping Up With the Kardashians – OPDP EditionMarch 11th, 2021

      I would be lying if I said I hadn’t expected this most recent OPDP Untitled letter.  OK, maybe not THIS letter.  Some background: Back in November 2020, after an article was published about the ethical questions surrounding “Sponcon,” (sponsored content – for those not hip …

    • OPDP Issues Second Warning Letter of 2021. But Wait, Where Did the OPDP Warning Letters Go?March 2nd, 2021

      Well, it’s been busy for OPDP (and the Rx Ad/Promo bloggers over at the FDA Law Blog).  After getting off to a slow start in 2021, OPDP issued yet another Warning Letter, apparently the day after its first.  Unlike the first letter, this OPDP Warning …

    • “Tongue and Done” – Just . . . No.February 18th, 2021

      Yesterday’s FDA Warning Letter, Press Release, and accompanying public relations campaign related to AcelRx’s promotional material for Dsuvia (sufentanil) are remarkable for exactly the reasons FDA intended them to be remarkable: these actions all signal to industry that despite anemic levels of FDA enforcement related …

    • Office of Prescription Drug Promotion Announces New Process for Core Launch ReviewNovember 27th, 2020

      On November 20, 2020, the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) hosted a webinar to announce a new process for review of “core launch” promotional materials.  Specifically, OPDP has added a five business day screening period to the beginning of core launch review to ensure …

    • What Device Manufacturers Need to Know at This Time about FDA’s Exercise of Emergency Authority in Response to COVID 19March 27th, 2020

      FDA is exercising significant emergency authorities during the COVID‑19 pandemic.  Not all of industry is affected, but those who are manufacturing or distributing (or using) devices being used to fight the pandemic can benefit by understanding FDA’s emergency‑related policies and practices.  These are evolving every …

    • The FTC’s Teami Case: “All [the FTC] really wanna see is the money.”March 12th, 2020

      Last Thursday, March 5, 2020, the FTC filed a formal complaint alleging deceptive marketing practices against tea and skincare company, Teami, LLC, and its co-founders, as well as a stipulated order for permanent injunction and monetary judgment.  In conjunction with the filings, the FTC also …

    • Too Much, Too Soon: OPDP Issues Untitled Letter for Pre-approval PromotionNovember 25th, 2019

      Just as many object to holiday music in November, the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (“OPDP”) objected in an untitled letter issued earlier this month to claims made for an investigational drug.  The statements (since removed) appeared on a company website about an investigational drug …

    • Note to Pharma: Stop With the Dancing! (And Get Off My Lawn)August 19th, 2019

      After reading OPDP’s latest enforcement letter, we had déjà vu all over again and were transported back to 2016 when we blogged that OPDP was Not Dead Yet.  At that time, OPDP had posted two enforcement letters on the same day relating to TV ads …

    • It’s All in the Numbers: FDA Issues New Draft Guidance on Presenting Quantitative Efficacy and Risk Information in DTC PromotionOctober 18th, 2018

      What is “truthful and non-misleading” in prescription drug promotion is often in the eye of the beholder. And, when it comes to enforcement, FDA is usually the arbiter. Over the years, FDA has taken on a number of initiatives and invested significant resources to better …

    • OPDP Issues First Efficacy-Only Enforcement Letter in Over 3 YearsSeptember 3rd, 2018

      In its fourth enforcement letter of 2018, the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) takes aim at a marketed drug’s sell sheet solely on the basis of misleading efficacy claims, the first letter to do so in over 3 years. The letter, issued August 16 to …