Serena Williams Lands Herself in Serious Trouble After ‘Misleading’ Commercial Move Stirs Massive Controversy
2022, Serena
The 42-year-old recently appeared in an advertisement for AbbVie, an American pharmaceutical giant, promoting Ubrelvy, a medication designed to treat migraines. The ad claims that just “one dose works fast to eliminate migraine pain,” a bold promise that has drawn the ire of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has criticized the ad, calling the claim not only misleading but unproven. The agency issued a warning to AbbVie, stating that no clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of a single dose of Ubrelvy in curing migraines. What’s more, the FDA expressed concern over Williams’ involvement, pointing out that featuring a celebrity of her stature can amplify misleading claims, making them more believable to the public.
This isn’t the first time the FDA has raised concerns about Ubrelvy’s advertising. Back in 2020, when the drug was promoted by Allergan (later acquired by AbbVie), similar issues were brought to light. The FDA has now demanded that AbbVie either discontinue the ad or stop distributing the drug until the claims are corrected.
Serena’s relationship with AbbVie isn’t new, but this latest controversy has led some to question the ethics of using her immense influence to promote a drug under scrutiny. While Williams has built her career on transparency, hard work, and grit, this episode serves as a reminder that even global icons must tread carefully when lending their name to powerful industries like pharmaceuticals.
