Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6892
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: report
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada
Advertising of prescription medicines to Canadian consumers: PMAC’s position
Ottawa: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada 1999 Apr
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/zfiles/english/consult/wkshd2ca.zip www.canadapharma.org/special-report/adv-position/Advertising-DTC.html
Abstract:
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada believes Canadians should be provided with balanced information about Canadian prescription medicines through appropriately regulated “Made in Canada†advertising. Advertising can raise awareness of effective new therapies and can improve the overall health of the nation by helping Canadians to recognize early symptoms, informing them about potential treatment options. Today, Canadian consumers are seeing pharmaceutical advertising and information on the Internet, through foreign magazines and watching American television programs. In many instances, the information they receive may not apply in Canada, or the drug may not even be approved for use here. The laws regulating the advertising of prescription medicines in Canada were written more than 40 years ago-long before consumers had access to the Internet, and even before television became a standard feature in Canadian homes. The current situation is plainly confusing for Canadians at a time when they are increasingly expected to take an active role in ensuring their own health. The time has come to alleviate this confusion by providing Canadian information to Canadian consumers through Canadian advertising.
Keywords:
*policy statement & guideline/Canada/Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada/industry perspective/DTCA/direct-to-consumer advertising/ preclearance of advertisements/general public and consumers/attitude toward promotion/value of promotion/source of information/regulation of promotion/ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: INDUSTRY/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: AUTONOMOUS BODIES
