Kim Kardashian's Diclegis Instagram Post Raises Issues of Transparency, Drug Safety, and Learning from History - i.e., Thalidomide deja vu!

Duchesnay Press Release (click for enlarged view)

By now you've probably read several media reports about Kim Kardashian's enthusiastic Instagram post promoting Diclegis, a prescription morning-sickness medicine. That's only because the FDA sent a Warning Letter to the drug’s maker, Duchesnay Inc.

The FDA said the post failed to give information about the drug’s risks, which is something I reported here on Pharma Marketing Blog back in July ("OMG. Kim Kardashian Shills for Pharma! No Worry - No Side Effects!").

FDA's letter ordered the company to "immediately cease misbranding." Kim -- obeying orders no doubt from Duchesnay -- removed her violative Instagram post, but it lives on in the media seen by millions and also in a Duchesnay press release (Kim Kardashian West Found Morning Sickness Relief with Diclegis).

Of course, the press release also contains all the necessary risk information, including a very troubling side effect in children.

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