FDA Fair Balance

Every benefit claim must be balanced with risk information. No exceptions.

Benefit-risk parity in every post

If a post mentions a device benefit (e.g., "improved oxygenation"), it must include corresponding risk information (e.g., contraindications, potential adverse events). We match benefit language with proportional risk disclosure, meeting FDA's fair balance requirement under 21 CFR 801 and the FD&C Act.

ISI (Important Safety Information) linking

Every promotional post includes a direct link to the device's full prescribing information or IFU (Instructions for Use). On character-limited platforms like X, we use link-in-bio strategies to ensure ISI is always one click away.

Approved labeling as the source of truth

All content claims are verified against the device's 510(k) summary, cleared indications for use, and approved marketing materials. We never extrapolate beyond what the FDA has cleared. If it's not in the labeling, it's not in the post.

Platform-specific fair balance formatting

LinkedIn long-form allows inline risk/benefit disclosure. X requires compressed fair balance with ISI links. Instagram needs caption-based disclosure plus story highlight for full safety info. We format compliance to fit the platform without compromising substance.

Comparative claims review

Any comparative language (e.g., "faster recovery," "easier to use") requires head-to-head clinical evidence. We flag and remove unsupported comparatives before publishing. If the data doesn't support it, the post doesn't say it.

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Off-Label Prevention

Content must never promote use beyond FDA-cleared indications.

Indication-locked content creation

Every piece of content starts with the device's cleared indications for use as a constraint. Our content process begins by defining what we CAN say based on the labeling, then creates within those boundaries. No creative freedom overrides regulatory limits.

Hashtag and keyword screening

Hashtags can imply off-label use (e.g., tagging a respiratory device with #SleepApnea when it's only cleared for supplemental oxygen). We screen every hashtag and keyword against approved indications before publishing.

User-generated content (UGC) review protocol

If a healthcare provider or patient shares content that implies off-label use, we never amplify, repost, or engage with it. Our protocol includes monitoring mentions and escalating off-label UGC to the regulatory team for appropriate response.

Audience targeting restrictions

Paid social campaigns are targeted to appropriate healthcare professional audiences based on the device's intended user population. We never target patient populations for prescription-only devices or audiences outside the cleared indication.

Comment and reply monitoring

Social media comments can trigger off-label discussions. We monitor comments on every post and have predefined response templates that redirect off-label questions to medical affairs or the prescribing information, without engaging in off-label promotion.

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Audit-Ready Archiving

Every post is archived with full context for regulatory inspection.

Timestamped content snapshots

Every published post is captured as a timestamped screenshot with metadata: platform, publish date/time, audience targeting parameters, and engagement metrics at time of archival. This creates a forensic record that matches FDA expectations for promotional material documentation.

Approval chain documentation

Each piece of content moves through a documented approval workflow: copywriter draft, regulatory review, medical/legal review, and final sign-off. Every stage is timestamped with the reviewer's identity and any changes made. The full chain is available for audit.

Version history and change tracking

If a post is edited or updated after publishing, both the original and revised versions are archived. The change reason, approver, and timestamp are documented. No content is ever deleted from the archive -- even rejected drafts are preserved for audit trail completeness.

Adverse event response documentation

If a social media comment or message contains an adverse event report, our protocol documents: the original report, time of discovery, escalation to pharmacovigilance/quality, and the response provided. This meets FDA's post-market surveillance requirements for social media channels.

Retention policy aligned with FDA requirements

All archived content is retained according to FDA record retention requirements (minimum 2 years after last distribution for 510(k) devices). Archives are stored securely with access controls and are exportable in standard formats for regulatory submissions or inspections.

See this framework applied to your device.

We build custom compliance playbooks for every client based on their device classification, regulatory history, and marketing goals.

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