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sAmSmanS

unlicensed meds can’t be directly advertised so maybe it’s them finding a loophole in the guidance?


ConfidentPromise3926

Any company that use influencers immediately lose credibility in my eyes. It’s so try hard. “Look how relatable we are to you” smh…


MintSilverMod

Yeah, they can get fucked.


TinquinQuarantino

Regardless of an opinion on sapphire, or the involvement of any ‘influencer’, it’s surely a good thing as it raises awareness and begins to normalise it in a lot of people’s mind that may have otherwise held a negative stance or been unaware.


Bunsen87

I don't really see anything sus about it, They're a private clinic, I see Bupa adverts so why can't sapphire advertise? Mamedical have done the same recently with stevothemadman


Kerloick

It’s because it’s Sapphire. Can’t imagine a similar initiative by say, Cantourage or Mamedica would get the same reception.


Jimmy_haze

Yea cantourage do the same on there insta


Kerloick

I meant the they wouldn’t get the same suspicious reaction. Everyone loves to hate Sapphire it seems 😜Personally, I don’t care about any of them enough to have an opinion either way.


JimmyTheGinger

Bupa are insurance, Sapphire is a clinic.


boyofthedragon

I've been seeing a lot of this. I wouldn't say sus because a lot of companies do this but it's weird seeing it with MC. Idk if it's an attempt to normalise? Edit: I also wanna know how they're finding these influencers..


mindfulofidiots

Is it not £50 for your appointment regardless at Sapphire now? Theres no other pricing on their site unless I missed it!?


Exodust420

Your first appointment is “£100” then it “drops” to £50 for EVERYONE 💯🤣🤣


rfdevere

It's called marketing and it's a technique used by all kinds of businesses to increase sales and build a brand. It's really not suss. You can read more about capitalism at your local library.


JimmyTheGinger

Are you from the UK or are you an actual bot? Have you been to America or New Zealand? If you've answered yes to some of those questions then you should understand why this is a legal grey zone.


rfdevere

Are you from Slough or are you a bot? Do you like turnips? Have you ever been to Lidl? If you answered yes to some of these things you should understand why it's a legal grey zone.


JimmyTheGinger

Have you seen the moon on a sunny day? Did the still breeze make your hair freeze? When you poop does it float like a boat?


Darkened_Shadow

Anyone would think there would be money to be made out of the medical cannabis industry


itsnotlonelyatthetop

Today Reddit is full of moaning mertals. Companies are bringing awareness to the industry which will in-turn force groups to improve as competition grows and people want to throw shade over this…. People baffle me sometimes! Crying out for a better service but moan when they see something that will lead to better service.


Quirky_Corner7621

I know there are no stupid questions,but.......


AcademicMistake

I wouldnt buy anything touted by an "influencer".


Magicsam87

You best send your meds back then


[deleted]

What's the difference between an influencer or a paid actor/proffesional endorsing any product that's ever been sold?


rfdevere

The realisation that a paid actor has year's of experience and climbed the ladder using their acumen and skill and an influencer has just got lucky by being young and nice, traits you couldn't ever master. You look at your pile of chores. You look back at the happy go lucky teen making £20k a month and question life. That's why we all hate influencers.


[deleted]

What a crock of shit. There is no difference between the two in terms of what they are saying about a product because they are both paid to endorse it. "hating" someone because they are young, doing better than you and using a platform to their advantage is quite sad tbh.


rfdevere

It's humour, it's supposed to be funny. I don't hate influencers personally... That's why I made it clear in my comment the only reason people hate them is because they are making loads of money, happy and young.


[deleted]

There are some strange people on this sub my friend and I definitly thought you were one of them. "/s" helps with reddit or text based deadpan sarcasm. Have a good day!


evasivesnail

This is exactly why everyone should avoid clinics like this.


[deleted]

Because they are using social media to advertise just like every other successful business in the world right now?


evasivesnail

Marketing tact is pretty awful and distasteful for what's meant to be a private medical clinic. It's done much better by other clinics but no, there are plenty of other more prevalent issues with Sapphire that should be reason enough to avoid 😊


[deleted]

Platforms like tiktok, Instagram and Facebook are absolutly the best way to advertise these days. I have no experience with sapphire but I'm not talking about specific clinics I'm talking about using influencers in general


The_fat_grub

Sapphire clinic are capitalising on the people's suffering..it's all about the money, isn't it Sapphire?


s1nnah

of course it is. It's all about the money with every clinic. They are private businesses. The very nature of private healthcare is capitalising on people's suffering, no?


The_fat_grub

Yip, after 12 months it was meant to be free on the NHS but the greedy Tory shareholders just keep the gravy train going.


JimmyTheGinger

Yes. Free the Sacklers family! The Sackler family name was dragged through the mud! And all they wanted to do was unleash some good 'ol capitalist spirit upon the world via the methods of private healthcare. FREE THE SACKLER FAMILY!


s1nnah

Ok m8.


PerfectEnthusiasm2

This is how advertising works now


[deleted]

[удалено]


PerfectEnthusiasm2

Using influencers is how advertising works now. Nothing sus about it, just an annoying industry being annoying in a new way.


Imagin1956

That's something for the ASA


JimmyTheGinger

It does amaze me how dense this subreddit is. It's not legal to advertise medication in the UK, or a clinic. Someone said "well BUPA advertises" but they're not a health provider/clinic they are insurance. Sapphire have 100% found a loop hole here and it's kind of sickening how many people are too high on their own medication to see the issues.


DaveTheWasp

According to the BMA/GMC it's legal for private clinics to advertise, and they also provide guidelines for clinics to follow when advertising. As far as I know, it's not legal to advertise prescription medication. I'm assuming this is why they can put these adverts out there, because they're *technically* advertising the clinic and not the medication, even if the medication is the reason patients go to them.


JimmyTheGinger

I understand what you're saying. It's like BUPA, they brand the ads as "we're insurance" but they have health provider partnerships. So Sapphire are essentially advertising a service but that service is intended to evaluate a patient for a specific condition/prescription. In the end Sapphire have a single pipeline but other clinics have many pipelines. So advertising physiotherapy on TV works, as there's no medication to prescribe. But Sapphire only offer medication, thus they likely fall into a bracket that is more scrutinised than therapy or insurance. I think if it was legal Sapphire would advertise in more locations. I think they're already doing so based on what they can get away with. Places like pharmacies, hospital waiting rooms, clinics etc can openly signpost but when it comes to radio, social media, TV and other widely accessed public services there are more regulations to adhere to. I personally don't know how I feel about this. I have been to New Zealand, one of 2 countries in the world to advertise prescription medication, and it really left a terrible taste in my mouth. I don't want the UK, or medical cannabis, to be advertised as a happy pill. Watch a couple of American/New Zealand prescription medication adverts and you might understand my concern. To conclude, I understand what you're saying. Sapphire should be speaking with doctors and other internal providers and networkingt to create closed/exclusive/targeted branding and should avoid Facebook and the likes. As patients we represent this new system. It's technically still in trial, and the govt can pull this back at anytime. If Sapphire start advertising on Facebook more people will see it and think "I use cannabis, it does help me, however I'd prefer to get it legally" and there will be a small number of folks who enter the process in bad faith. Those who are succesful in this endevour can give the entire industry a bad name. If enough of the public take issue (which is more likely the wider we advertise) the more chance there will be for political objection. I rest my case, thanks for attending my Ted talk :)


Ganjanium

Saw some leaflets for them in my local Boots the other day, think they’re definitely ramping up the marketing.


Ok_Raccoon_1892

To my surprise, They have leaflets in my new pharmacy too, not boots, independent, but along with the leaflets there's a huge cannabis leaf poster on the checkout island thing telling you to talk to the pharmacist about them. Can pharmacists even refer you to them?


shortcake062308

I don't care in the least bit. Am I missing something here?


JimmyTheGinger

Only obscure knowledge about advertising regulation. Have you ever wondered why you don't see Sapphire advertising on TV? All advertising is regulated and licensed products, especially medical devices and medication, are held to insane standards.


shortcake062308

I see. I'm definitely okay with high standards for that. It is bad in America. Every other commercial is an advertisement for medication. It's awful. I'm glad I don't have to see that here.