Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 1117

119th Congress

Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 7, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Kathy Castor

Representative

Democratic

FL-14

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill prohibits direct-to-consumer drug advertising, including social media ads, for three years after FDA approval. The FDA may waive this in year three for public health benefit, or extend the ban if significant adverse effects emerge. It applies to drugs approved starting one year before enactment.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits direct-to-consumer drug advertising, including social media ads, for three years after FDA approval. The FDA may waive this in year three for public health benefit, or extend the ban if significant adverse effects emerge. It applies to drugs approved starting one year before enactment.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025This bill prohibits direct-to-consumer advertising of new drugs during the first three years following their approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Direct-to-consumer advertising includes advertising via social media. Upon request from a drug’s sponsor, the FDA may waive the prohibition during the third year following a drug’s approval if it determines that the direct-to-consumer advertising of the drug would have an affirmative value to public health. Conversely, the FDA may prohibit such advertising beyond the three-year period following approval if it determines that the drug has significant adverse health effects based on post-approval studies, adverse event reports, and other appropriate resources. The prohibition applies to new drugs approved beginning one year before the bill’s enactment.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Bans direct-to-consumer drug ads for first three years
Includes social media advertising restrictions
FDA may waive ban in third year for public health reasons
Can extend ban for drugs with significant adverse effects
Applies to new drugs approved around enactment date

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Consumers would see fewer ads for newly approved drugs while more safety data accumulates. Pharmaceutical companies would face new marketing restrictions, potentially affecting drug launch strategies and revenue.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies

Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation

Internet, web applications, social media

Marketing and advertising

Prescription drugs

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1117, 119th Congress (2025). "Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1117