Vetting of Advertising Materials
The Authority is mandated under Section 68 of the PMRA Act to screen and approve advertising materials for medicines and allied substances before they are broadcast or publicized.
The applicant is required to submit a completed application form (attached below) together with the advertising material and prescribed fees. Authorization is granted if the application meets the required standards in the guidelines. Once the above conditions are met, designated officer(s) screen an advertising or promotional material. If the material is in-line with PMRA’s set guidelines, the Authority issues a letter authorizing the client to publicize the material. If the advert is not in-line with the guidelines, the client is advised to amend the advert.
Below are critical issues that need to consider when developing an advertising or promotional material for traditional medicines. Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) uses the same when vetting advertisement/promotional materials:
- The content of promotional materials must be unbiased, accurate, informative, up to date, in good taste and consistent.
- Advertisement/promotional material should not contain misleading or unverifiable statements or omissions regarding quality, safety, and efficacy or value which is likely to induce unjustifiable product use or to give rise to undue risks;
- Please note that applicants are not allowed to advertise medicines including traditional medicines which may treat/help in the following diseases:
- Alcoholism
- Appendicitis
- Arteriosclerosis
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Cataract
- Diabetes
- Hernia
- Kidney stones
- Pneumonia
- Prostate gland disorder
- Epilepsy
- Gallstones
- Gangrene
- Glaucoma
- Hypertension
- Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Malaria
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Any other disease that the Minister responsible may specify