Pharmafile Logo

Doctored Truths urges pharma to lead the fight against health misinformation

“Doctored Truths” exposes the escalating crisis of health misinformation and disinformation, which has been ranked the world’s top short-term risk to the world, for the second year in a row. Havas Lynx calls upon the pharmaceutical industry to leverage its unique position and vast clinical data to combat this growing threat to patient health and public trust.

- PMLiVE

The Doctored Truths white paper highlights a critical erosion of trust in medical expertise, with proprietary Point.1 data revealing declining confidence in healthcare professionals (HCPs) across generations and only half of patients trusting non-government organisations like the World Health Organisation. As patients increasingly turn to digital platforms for health guidance, nearly one-third of social media health content now contains misinformation, leaving individuals vulnerable to conspiracy theories, viral fads, and unqualified advice.

The tangible impact of this misinformation overload is stark:

  • Four out of five HCPs believe their patients have experienced physical or mental harm due to misinformation
  • A third of patients regret a health decision made based on misinformation because they acted on misinformation
  • 61% of HCPs report that misinformation has caused a loss of trust between them and their patients

This crisis is affecting every therapy area, undermining public health, social cohesion, and even economic stability, particularly impacting vulnerable groups where scientific understanding is limited or access to care is constrained.

“The spread of health misinformation isn’t just a concern; it’s a profound threat to patient well-being and the very foundation of evidence-based medicine,” says Claire Knapp, Chief Executive Officer at Havas Lynx. “Our ‘Doctored Truths’ white paper not only illuminates the scale of this problem but also underscores the immense responsibility and opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry. Pharma could hold the antidote – with its deep scientific expertise and extensive reach, it is uniquely positioned to reclaim trust and safeguard health outcomes. It’s not just an ethical imperative, but a strategic necessity for the industry’s future.”

The expectations for the pharmaceutical sector to act are clear. Point.1 data shows that 71% of HCPs believe pharma has a responsibility to tackle misinformation, yet only 41% feel enough is currently being done. Havas Lynx asserts that by stepping up to this challenge, pharma can not only shape its future reputation but also reinforce the very foundations of evidence-based healthcare.

Read the full “Doctored Truths” report and learn how your organisation can contribute to this vital initiative here.

This content was provided by Havas Lynx

Company Details

 Latest Content from  Havas Lynx 

SWITCHED ONcology Patient Experience Focus Group Highlights

On 22nd February we held our patient experience focus group, which brought together patients, doctors and industry advocates to discuss the changing landscape and challenges facing cancer care today. "We...

SWITCHED ONcology

We bring together the experts. The patients. The scientists. The technologists. The creatives. We unite powerful insights to make science mean something real. We are stronger together. We are Switched...

18 SWITCHED ONcology: The Big Communication

Matching unprecedented clinical advances in immuno-oncology with transformative communication

17 In Search of the Invisible Army

The caregivers' story

16 Generation Now

The impact of the millennial healthcare professional on our world

Healthcare Heroes – The Passion Project by Havas Lynx

The Havas Lynx group are incredibly proud to launch ’Healthcare Heroes, the passion project.’ This campaign shares inspirational stories from doctors, nurses, patients, pioneers, and entrepreneurs, who are all dedicated...

Generation Now: the impact of the millennial HCP on our world

Millennials are criticised as narcissistic, entitled and technology-obsessed, but our new campaign shows millennial healthcare professionals – mHCPs – in a different light. They have certainly grown up in a...

12 Connected Health

Seizing the opportunities in a new era of care

11 Smiles That Save Lives

Making happier, healthier patients

10 Remapping the Market

Does pharma's global model need a shake up?