Rules and Regulations
Firstly, communications regarding pharmaceuticals and medicine are under the purview of government regulatory bodies and advisory boards. These regulatory standards differ by region and countries. A PR practitioner would need to be familiar with these protocols and restrictions before formulating or suggesting any campaign or solution to pharmaceutical clients.
Singapore
- Health Products (Advertisements of Therapeutic Products) Regulation
- Medicine (Medical Advertisements) Regulation
Malaysia
India
- Medical Council of India (MCI) Code of Ethics Regulations 2002
- Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954
Thailand
- Rules of the Medical Council on the observance on Medical Ethics, B.E. 2526 (1983)
- Drug Act, B.E. 2510 (1967)
While penalties vary with legal systems, one common repercussion for all offenders is the tarnished reputation of the company and the local authorities’ distrust of medical and pharmaceutical companies.
PRoTip: Going above and beyond the legal requirements to ensure ethical communications is how responsible practitioners protect the client’s and the agency’s reputation and working relationship.Offences under these laws could mean fines and imprisonment.
