Experts have criticised Facebook for allowing “dangerous” and unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on its platform.
Earlier this month, UK regulators found that an advert for a prostate patch claiming to relieve pain and urination problems breached advertising rules. The advert, sold by UK company Nultqh GB, claimed that clinical research showed the patches were “92 per cent” effective at reducing prostate pain and “90 per cent” effective at combating frequent urination.
However, according to the Advertising Standards Agency, there is no such research. The regulator added that because the patches are not authorised by health regulators, Nultqh GB cannot advertise them as a medical treatment.
Although the advert has since been removed, an investigation by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered seven adverts for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook. These include products created by the company FivFivgo, which claims its patches provide “continuous, targeted relief and support for the prostate”.
Experts criticised Meta – the US company that runs Facebook – for allowing the product to appear on its site, which they say could endanger patients.
Facebook has been criticised by experts for allowing “dangerous” and unregulated prostate treatments to be advertised on its platform
An investigation by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered seven adverts for unlicensed prostate patches on Facebook
“Buying medicines on social media platforms can be dangerous because these unregulated sources often sell counterfeit, expired or substandard medicines, posing serious health risks,” said Professor Claire Anderson, director of the Royal College of Pharmacology.
‘Unlike regulated pharmacies, sellers on social media do not have to meet safety standards or legal requirements, making it impossible to know if the products they sell are authentic and safe.
‘Social media companies need to do more to moderate and remove harmful content and products.’
A Meta spokesperson said: “Ads promoting the sale of over-the-counter drugs must comply with all applicable local laws and we have removed the content for violating our policy. We continue to invest resources and further enhance our enforcement of this type of content.”
Nultqh GB and FivFivgo have been contacted for comment.
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