The news: Pfizer received a letter from the FDA stating that Facebook video ads for its cancer drug, Adcetris, were misleading for omitting risk information and details about cancer subtypes.

The FDA identified the omissions in materials Pfizer submitted. For context: Drugmakers must submit promotional materials to the FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) at the time of release.

Why it matters: The FDA has increased enforcement of pharma drug advertising over the past year, but the letters have mostly focused on higher profile TV ads and websites—making the Facebook-specific letter notable.

• In September, the agency began a broad crackdown on direct-to-consumer (D2C) drug advertising, notably sending at least 40 untitled warning letters to pharma TV advertisers.
• It has since followed up with additional letters warning drugmakers about healthcare provider sales materials, websites, and more D2C TV ads.
• The FDA has issued 12 letters to drugmakers so far in 2026, compared with three during the same time period in 2025, underscoring a faster enforcement pace.

The crackdown on Facebook is significant because it’s a key digital destination where consumers get health information. It accounts for 50% of all social media health searches, second only to YouTube at 66%, per EMARKETER’s 2026 Digital Health survey.