Social Media Influencers and Pharmaceutical Products: A Review of Risks, Misuse, and Regulatory Challenges

Abstract

The rise of social media has greatly changed how pharmaceutical and cosmetic products are promoted and used. Influencers have become the main people that Generation Z listens to when making decisions about skincare, over-the-counter medicines, and health supplements. However, since many influencers don’t have proper medical training, they often share incomplete or wrong information. This can lead to people using products incorrectly and experiencing side effects like skin irritation, acne, and allergies. To look into this issue, a study was done with 172 participants. It found that many consumers trust influencer advice without checking if it’s backed by scientific evidence. This gap between marketing and medical safety shows major problems in the enforcement of India’s regulations, including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940), Consumer Protection Act (2019), and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023). The study concludes that protecting public health needs several steps: stronger regulation, holding influencers accountable, and raising awareness among the public. Most importantly, it suggests creating a digital platform with reliable, science-based information about drugs to connect digital marketing with safe consumer practices.