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Issue No 48, August 2007 |
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Guidelines issued by MoH regulating health related advertisements
Recently, the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) issued a ministerial order giving guidelines to regulate health related advertisements.
The reports quote Dr. Abdul Kareem Al Zarouni, Director of Medical Ads Department in the Ministry of Health (MoH) regarding these guidelines as follows:
The guidelines aim to alert those who might use different means of advertising to promote a product that is related to health.
The ministerial order states that the MoH is the sole federal body responsible for sanctioning licensing medical ads in the country. It also stipulates penalties for violators, including a fine of up to Dh20,000.
Signboards, banners by the roadside, on buildings and commercial outlets, posters and stickers on means of transportation (boats, buses or air balloons), and electronic posters are among the modes not allowed to promote health products without the approval of the MoH.
Plastic bags used at shopping centers, pharmacies, cooperative societies and supermarkets, in addition to wall murals or paintings on other large permanent surface, are also banned from carrying medical ads unless sanctioned by the MoH.
Electronic pictures placed at shopping centers and other outlets are prohibited. T-shirts, diaries and other stationery made by health institutions must not carry any forms of ads promoting certain products.
Newspapers, magazines, journals, bulletins, manuals, CDs, DVDs and flyers published by healthcare facilities also need MoH approval.
The rule applies to pharmacies, herbal medicines and natural products claimed to cure ailments, cosmetic and massage centers, which provide services pertaining to human health like slimming, hair implantation, tattooing, peeling and medical massage.
Prescribed medicines and children food shall not be promoted via print media, radio or TV unless approved by Minister of Health. |
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