Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10172

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: news

Cruez AF.
Beware of misleading health ads
The New Straits Times 2007 Mar 2
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070302082952/Article/index_html

Full text:

KUALA LUMPUR: Do not be easily influenced by advertisements related to health products and services.

This advice came from the Medicine Advertisement Board which issued 312 warning letters last year to companies who advertised unapproved and misleading advertisements.

This was a worrying jump from the 160 errant companies in 2005 and 180 in 2004.

Investigations are being conducted on 32 other companies involved in such advertisements.

The board took 12 companies to court last year for offences committed under the Medicine (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956. Companies found guilty of a first offence are liable to a fine not exceeding RM3,000, or a jail term not exceeding one year, or to both.
For subsequent convictions, offenders could be fined not more than RM5,000, or sentenced to jail for a term not exceeding two years, or both.

Board chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the public should be cautious and not be influenced by advertisements related to health products and services.

“Consumers should not be influenced by advertisements with excessive and unsubstantiated claims. Exercise your rights as a consumer to analyse and make rational decisions,” said Dr Ismail, who is also the director-general of health.

He said the ministry was aware of advertisements with unapproved claims that were published in all kinds of media, including the Internet.

He added that advertisements should contain sufficient information that would enable consumers to make informed choices.

“It is a social responsibility for everyone in the advertising industry to provide only truthful information with the objective of protecting the public.”

Last year, Dr Ismail said, the board had received 1,657 advertisement applications. Of these, 1,428 were approved.

Advertisements on health products and services were governed by the Medicine (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956 and Medicine Advertisements Board Regulations 1976.

The board had also issued two guidelines – Guidelines on Medical Advertisement (for Products and Remedies) and the Guidelines on Public Information by Private Hospitals, Clinics, Radiological Clinics and Medical Laboratories.

Dr Ismail said the Act, regulations and guidelines were reviewed from time to time and revised when necessary.

He said the advertisements, which needed approval from the board, included those on traditional medicines and non-prescription products. “Prescription medicines are not allowed to be advertised to the public.”

Dr Ismail said cosmetic advertisements were self-regulated and had to abide by the Cosmetic Advertising Code.

On health-related services, he said only four types of premises were allowed to advertise – private hospitals, clinics, radiological clinics and medical laboratories.

The latest information on the guidelines, procedures and policies on advertisements of health products and services as well as the application forms are available at the Ministry of Health website at www.pharmacy.gov.my.