A current surge in deceptive advertisements and AI-generated movies on social media and different on-line websites selling bogus diabetes merchandise, therapies and cures – typically utilizing pretend endorsements, together with from my group Diabetes Canada – poses a critical well being danger to folks dwelling with diabetes.
To date this yr, Diabetes Canada has heard from at the very least 300 individuals who noticed or purchased pretend merchandise like good watches claiming to non-invasively monitor blood glucose ranges or purported GLP-1 oral drops – GLP-1 drugs are generally used to assist management blood glucose ranges and promote weight reduction.
Whereas on-line scams usually are not new, the peddling of counterfeit or unapproved diabetes merchandise is alarming on condition that hundreds of thousands of Canadians depend on them to handle the continual situation.
The calls and emails we now have acquired at Diabetes Canada are doubtless simply the tip of the iceberg given the reputation of social media in Canada and the prevalence of diabetes.
Over 4 million folks in Canada have been recognized with diabetes. It’s a sophisticated situation that requires common monitoring of blood glucose ranges.
Units like blood glucose meters – they make use of finger pricks to attract blood for testing – and steady glucose displays – which use a sensor positioned beneath the pores and skin to trace blood glucose ranges – alert people if their blood glucose ranges develop into too low or too excessive – issues that might result in a well being emergency.
Whereas the federal authorities requires that diabetes gadgets and drugs be accepted by Well being Canada earlier than being bought right here, this has not stopped unscrupulous sellers from selling counterfeit or pretend merchandise on-line.
Some misuse logos to falsely declare they’re endorsed by Well being Canada or Diabetes Canada. But, Diabetes Canada doesn’t endorse any diabetes-related medical merchandise or gadgets as a coverage.
As somebody who lives with kind 2 diabetes, I understand how upsetting it might be to buy a pretend product after which be taught that it was a rip-off.
Shopping for counterfeit or unapproved merchandise not solely places folks out of pocket for the price of gadgets or drugs which may not work as marketed, however in addition they pose critical well being dangers.
Taking unauthorized diabetes drugs or utilizing a tool that offers false blood glucose readings or fails to present readings in any respect can result in life-threatening well being emergencies.
Whereas Well being Canada has issued warnings about unauthorized merchandise, together with an alert about unauthorized blood glucose-reading good watches, advertisements for them proceed to pop up on social media – we not too long ago flagged almost 30 variations of an advert for removing on Fb and Instagram.
The issue extends past Canada. Final yr, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration warned about smartwatches and rings that declare to measure blood glucose with out piercing the pores and skin. Not too long ago, it issued an alert about unlawful on-line gross sales of unapproved variations of GLP-1 medication.
Diabetes U.Okay. not too long ago launched a warning about deceptive advertisements on social media falsely utilizing its brand to advertise unauthorized bracelets claiming to burn fats and stability blood sugars.
Synthetic intelligence instruments are being employed to create deepfake movies impersonating well being care consultants and celebrities to advertise diabetes dietary supplements. Actor Tom Hanks has warned about an AI rip-off that falsely portrays him as selling a treatment for diabetes.
Diabetes Victoria in Australia launched an announcement final yr alerting folks a couple of pretend AI-generated video circulating on social media that seemingly confirmed well being consultants from an internationally acknowledged medical analysis facility selling a diabetes complement as a substitute remedy.
The pretend advertisements and AI scams are pervasive. Whereas Diabetes Canada stories them to the suitable companies and officers, it’s like taking part in Whac-a-Mole. Each time we get a social media platform to take away an advert, one other one pops up.
Including to the issue is the misinformation about diabetes cures, therapies and administration that proliferates on-line. It spreads inaccurate details about diabetes that jeopardizes the well being and wellness of these dwelling with the situation.
Individuals with diabetes and those that look after them can defend themselves from on-line well being misinformation and scams by remaining vigilant when scrolling on social media. Be alert to the misuse of logos and AI deepfakes falsely claiming endorsements. And most significantly, when contemplating any modifications in medicine, gadgets or remedy, all the time seek the advice of your well being care supplier first.
When coming throughout on-line advertisements or movies touting diabetes merchandise or therapies, all the time bear in mind the golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it in all probability is.
Laura Syron is president and CEO, Diabetes Canada.
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