Report misleading medicines advertisements
If you are concerned about advertising you see for a medicine, please report it to MHRA or the industry self-regulatory body.
By law, advertising for a medicine must:
- comply with the medicine’s summary of product characteristics (licence)
- promote the rational use of the product by presenting it objectively and without exaggerating its properties
- not mislead
There are also legal and self-regulatory requirements covering gifts and payments made by the pharmaceutical industry to healthcare professionals. This law applies to receipt of as well as giving of gifts and inducements. New self-regulatory requirements came into effect this year for disclosure of transfers of value.
MHRA and the industry self-regulatory body, the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), investigate complaints about breaches of these requirements.
If you have a concern about advertising for a medicine, please help to ensure effective regulation by reporting it to PMCPA at complaints@pmcpa.org.uk or the MHRA at advertising@mhra.gov.uk.
Further information
MHRA Blue Guide, Advertising and promotion of medicines in the UK
ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry
Article citation: Drug Safety Update volume 8 issue 8 March 2015: 4