Advertising Codes
The advertising and promotion of medicines is strictly regulated to ensure that it encourages a responsible approach to self-medication and is not misleading.
It is a condition of membership that PAGB member companies must comply with the PAGB Medicines Advertising Codes when advertising over-the-counter medicines. These reflect the law and go beyond that to provide further self-regulatory controls.
Consumer Code
Member companies have to have their consumer advertising checked against the PAGB Consumer Code and approved by PAGB before it can be published or broadcast.
Professional Code
Advertising aimed at persons qualified to prescribe or supply must comply with the PAGB Professional Code. PAGB does not pre-approve this kind of advertising; instead the PAGB Professional Code operates thorough consideration of post-event complaints. PAGB publishes the outcomes of complaints investigated under the PAGB Professional Code.
The Codes are availble online at: www.pagbadvertisingcode.co.uk
PAGB Food Supplement Advertising Guideline
Food supplement advertising is not covered by the PAGB Medicines Advertising Codes. However, PAGB’s Food Supplement Advertising Guideline is intended to assist members in preparing food supplement promotional materials which require PAGB approval.
The document, which is written in checklist format, explains which materials require approval, provides a list of the standards which PAGB applies when reviewing such materials and outlines the legal and/or the self-regulatory basis for those standards. Links to the relevant codes, guidelines, regulations and other important information can be found in the appendices.
Click here to request a copy of ‘PAGB’s Food Supplement Advertising Guideline’
