Two months ago, a sponsored post for a supplement appeared on Facebook with the claim: 'The doctors have been hiding this! Diabetes will disappear in 2 days,' in German. The ad promised users could stop taking Metformin, a common diabetes medication. Facebook's ad review system failed to catch the misleading health claim, highlighting a persistent problem with health scams on the platform.
According to a 2025 report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), health-related scams on social media cost consumers over $1.2 billion annually. Facebook, now part of Meta, has faced criticism for allowing such ads despite policies prohibiting deceptive health claims. A Meta spokesperson stated that the company uses automated systems to review ads, but some slip through.
The ad targeted German-speaking users, but similar scams appear globally. Health experts warn that such claims can lead to dangerous medication abandonment. Dr. Julia Schmidt of the German Diabetes Center said, 'No supplement can cure diabetes in two days. Patients should consult their doctors before changing treatment.'
Facebook's ad library shows the post was removed after being flagged by users, but not before reaching thousands. Meta has not commented on specific enforcement actions. The incident underscores the need for better oversight of health advertising on social media.
