The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7223 p665
9 November 2002

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Restrictions on OTC advertising to go

Rules that restrict advertising non-prescription medicines to the public are to be scrapped.

Currently, medicines may not be promoted for the treatment of 13 serious conditions even when they are available for sale in pharmacies or supermarkets. The conditions concerned are: bone diseases; cardiovascular diseases; diseases of the liver, biliary system and pancreas; endocrine diseases; genetic disorders; joint, rheumatic and collagen diseases; psychiatric diseases; serious disorders of the eye and ear; serious gastrointestinal diseases; serious neurological and muscular diseases; serious renal disease; serious respiratory diseases; and serious skin disorders.

The MCA says that many products used for the treatment of these diseases are not suitable for counter sale because they require medical intervention and supervision. However, it adds that within these wide categories there is a range of less serious conditions which can be suitable for self-medication.

The proposal has been welcomed by the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which said that examples of a products suitable for OTC advertising included aspirin 75mg tablets for the prevention of second heart attacks or strokes, and calcium and vitamin D products for osteoporosis patients.

Sheila Kelly, executive director of the PAGB, said: "The PAGB has long advocated a review of the list of prohibited conditions, because it forms a barrier to widening access to medicines. Consumers are increasingly becoming more involved in making decisions about their health care. This move will further empower them by increasing the availability of information on these diseases and how best to treat them."

The prohibition on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription-only medicines and the codes of practice operated by the PAGB, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and advertising regulators will remain in force. European legislation that prohibits public advertisements for chronic insomnia, diabetes and other metabolic diseases, malignant diseases, serious infectious diseases, including HIV-related diseases and tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases, will also remain in force.

The Medicines Control Agency is consulting on its plan to change the rules until 27 January 2003. The consultation document can be found here (Microsoft Word document).