Health Ministry spokesperson: 67% of alternative medicine information on social media is misleading

CAIRO – 3 June 2026: Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, warned about the dangers of information related to alternative medicine and dietary supplements circulating on social media, emphasizing that 67% of such content is misleading or inaccurate.

In statements on Wednesday, Abdel Ghaffar explained that more than 50 million citizens have active social media accounts, increasing the risk of the widespread dissemination of incorrect medical information.

He noted that the annual growth rate of social media use is approximately 11%, underscoring the need to raise public awareness about reliable sources of health information.

He added that recent studies indicate that 87% of the scientific content circulating on some platforms is either false or misleading, particularly content related to health and medical treatments.

Abdel Ghaffar explained that one of the main reasons for the spread of this misinformation is the influence of individuals who lack accredited scientific qualifications yet provide medical advice without a scientific basis or proper oversight.

He stressed that the Egyptian Drug Authority is responsible for preventing the sale of medicines and medical products in unlicensed locations. He also urged citizens not to be influenced by unreliable advertisements and to rely on official sources for medical treatment, noting that those responsible for harmful medical advertisements commit numerous violations.