Last month, an article in Modern Healthcare detailed a new advertising policy from CSIP partner, Facebook. As part of a series of changes, Facebook is now working to ensure that addiction treatment centers that want to submit advertisements are certified by LegitScript first. LegitScript will review the centers’ “background, qualifications, compliance with state legal and regulatory licensing requirements and privacy practices,” according to Facebook Business. With the rise of the opioid epidemic and the need for support services, there is also, unfortunately, an increase in fraudulent and misleading ads targeted at those who are suffering from addiction and their families. LegitScript is the “leader in merchant and advertiser certification and monitoring in the e-commerce and payment sectors.” CSIP already relies on LegitScript, through its VerifyBeforeYouBuy tool, to help consumers identify legitimate and safe online pharmacies for purchasing medication online.

Addiction centers that are certified will also need to complete an application through Facebook as part of its onboarding process. This effort is not unique, as Google has already limited advertisements from addiction treatment centers in its search results. The Partnership for Drug Free Kids, who works with CSIP on the MedicineSafe Coalition, is part of an advisory committee to LegitScript for the certification program. Other members include the Center on Addiction, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, and Facing Addiction with NCADD. It is just one more way that the internet can be a safer place for families in need.

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The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and our 10 member companies have the shared goal of helping address the growing problem of consumer access to illegitimate pharmaceutical products on the Internet. Continue to read this blog for updates on CSIP’s education, enforcement and information-sharing efforts.