Story perspectives

Mel Gibson Endorsement Spurs 2.5-Fold Rise in Cancer Drug Use

5/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mel Gibson’s January 2025 endorsement of ivermectin and fenbendazole on The Joe Rogan Experience sparked a 2.5-fold rise in cancer-patient prescriptions during seven months of 2025 versus the same period in 2024.
Overall prescriptions for the two drugs doubled, with the surge most pronounced among white patients, men and Southern residents, per analysis of records for over 68 million patients.
Study authors warned that celebrity influence drives patients toward unproven therapies.

1 of 1

Story summary

Mel Gibson’s January 2025 endorsement of ivermectin and fenbendazole on The Joe Rogan Experience sparked a 2.5-fold rise in cancer-patient prescriptions during seven months of 2025 versus the same period in 2024.
Overall prescriptions for the two drugs doubled, with the surge most pronounced among white patients, men and Southern residents, per analysis of records for over 68 million patients.
Study authors warned that celebrity influence drives patients toward unproven therapies.