Restricted categories

• Ads must contain the number and date of the BDA decision for approval.

• NABP
• LegitScript

• Name of the product, as well as the common name if it contains only one active substance, or the trademark.
• Information essential to the rational use of the product, including therapEutic indications and special precautions.
• Advice for the user to read the secondary information and package leaflet carefully, and if there is any doubt or if symptoms persist, to consult the doctor or pharmacist.
• Any additional warnings if applicable.

• Gives the impression the medicinal product is a foodstuff, cosmetic or other consumer product.
• Suggests a diagnosis or recommend a treatment by correspondence leading to the conclusion that medical intervention is unnecessary.
• Exaggerate the effects or suggest the effect of the product is guaranteed, without adverse reactions, with results superior or equal to those of another treatment or medical product or claim there is no risk of addiction.
• Suggest the users normal state of health can be improved by the use of the product or be impaired by not using the product (vaccines may be allowed).
• Suggest safety or efficacy of the product due to it being considered a natural product.
• Demonstrate or guarantee a cure.
• Contain a recommendation by a scientist, healthcare practitioner or third party who may encourage consumption of medicines due to their high profile.

• Users should not be misled about the device’s intended purpose, safety and performance.

• Name of the device.
• Purpose of the device.
• Information essential to the correct use of the device.
• Clearly visible indication of possible adverse effects.

• Advertisers are expected to comply with the charter published by ANSM.

• Claims used in the advertisement must correspond to the summary of the medicine's technical characteristics.
• The advertisement must promote the rational use of medicines and should not overstate the effect of the drug concerned.
• The advertisement must feature a statutory minimum content (including the name of the medicine / active substance, instructions on the proper use of the medicine; an invitation to read the instructions);
• The advertisement must not make any statements undermining the consultation of doctors, etc.

• Discourage essential treatment of health problems.
• Offer specific advice, diagnosis, or treatment for serious or prolonged conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease), unless given by a doctor or a qualified health professional.
• Imply that vitamins, minerals or supplements can prevent or treat illness, elevate mood, or enhance performance.
• Claim that a vitamin, mineral or any other food supplement is beneficial to health without substantiating the claim with scientific evidence displayed on the website.
• Contradict the fact that a well-balanced diet should provide the vitamins and minerals needed by a normal healthy individual. Advertisers cannot encourage consumers to swap a healthy diet for supplementation.
• Imply that there is widespread vitamin or mineral deficiency or that it is necessary to augment a well-balanced diet.
• Describe products as safe or effective simply because they are "natural" or because the description omits an ingredient in common use.
• Claim that over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or legal herbal supplements are better than any other product or that using or avoiding a product will affect normal good health.
• Offer homeopathic medicines that are not approved in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The efficacies and effects of an OTC medication included in advertising must be within the scope of the approval by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). 

Advertising for OTC medication cannot include statements, endorsements, or recommendations regarding the efficacies or effects of an OTC medication by healthcare workers. 

Advertising for supplements and vitamins cannot contain a description of medicinal effects. 

Advertising for contact lenses including prescription lenses as well as cosmetic/costume lenses must have approval by the MHLW prior to advertising. 

Advertising for medical supplies that are used by medical practitioners is not allowed.  

Advertising for products intended for household use such as bandages and icepacks are allowed but cannot contain a description of efficacies or effect that may indicate they are medical supplies.  

Advertising of healthcare professionals or healthcare facilities can include limited information such as the name of the provider or facility, phone number, location, business hours, and department names for example.  

• Ads must contain the statement "Food supplement does not replace a complete and balanced diet", which must occupy at least 5% of the advertising space.

• Advertisers may not use a patient’s name, surname, or image when advertising health care services or medical devices.

• Ads must not encourage unreasonable use and must be in accordance with instructions for use.

• Attribute features to a medical product that it lacks.
• Exaggerate the properties of a product.
• Exaggerate the positive effects of the product or the description of the effects of a product.
• Compare a medication with another medication or mislead a consumer about the use of a medication.
• Allege that the expenses for the product will be covered by the Health Insurance Fund, except in cases of epidemics.
• Ads should not include the following:
  • Recommendations on the properties of the product that encourage use.
  • Famous persons to influence the use due to their popularity.
  • Indications on the price of the product.
  • Disease history or diagnostic procedures that may lead to misdiagnosis or self-diagnosis.
  • Inappropriate, disturbing, or misleading indications of changes to the body caused by illness or disease, or by a medical product.
  • Data or conclusions on the efficiency of the Medical Products which is still subject to clinical trial in North Macedonia or abroad.
• Data on disease, diagnosis, or therapeutic procedures or product used in the treatment of particular persons.
• Children using or intending to use the product.
• Free samples may not be given to the general public, and the name of the pharmacy that sells the product or the wholesaler of the product must not be indicated in the ad.

• The name of the medical product.
• The method of use and data needed for the proper use.
• Visible, legible, and understandable warning to the user about carefully reading the user guide and consulting a doctor or pharmacist about the risk of adverse reactions.
  • The mandatory warning for carefully reading the user guide and consulting a doctor prior to usage must be an integral part of the landing page.

• Name and address.
• Type of activity that can be performed.
• Level of health care, activity, and specialty.
• Training and qualifications of health professionals.
• Working hours.
• Actual waiting time, price of services, and the company’s logo.

• Information about the medication must be given in accordance with the approved summary of product characteristics.
• Advertising must be objective and not mislead the professional or general public.
• Advertising cannot directly address children even if the medication is intended for their treatment.

• Cannot contain psychotropic or narcotic substances.
• Name cannot be identical to prescription products entered onto official lists of products reimbursed from public funds.
• Must be authorized to be sold in Poland.

• Oseltamivir, a medicine used for colds and flu which is subject to medical prescription, may be advertised.

• Ads cannot guarantee results, encourage false consumption needs, or be otherwise misleading.

• Is intended for children.
• Refer to a recommendation of a person who, by their celebrity, may incite consumption of the product.
• May induce, by description or representation, a false self-diagnosis.
• Use frightening or misleading visual representations of changes in the human body caused by disease or injury, or of the action of a medication on the body.

• Scientific name, degree of dilution
• Name and address of the holder of the simplified registration and in some cases the manufacturer
• Method of administration, and if needed, route of administration.
• Explicit expiry date, including month and year, written in indelible form
• Pharmaceutical form
• Presentation
• Specific storage precautions
• Special warnings
• Manufacturing batch number, registration number of the marketing authorization
• The words “without therapeutic indications”
• Warning advising the user to consult a doctor

• Be exact, balance, equitable, objective, and complete, allowing consumers to form their own opinion with respect to the therapeutic value of the medication.
• Be based on updated evaluation of the medicine in question.
• Not suggest that a medicine or active ingredient has any merit, quality, or special property where this cannot be scientifically documented or proven.

• Life threatening medical conditions.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Diabetes or other metabolic diseases.
• Additionally, medicine for the following cannot be advertised.
  • Medicine issued at the expense of health insurance funds.
  • Tuberculosis medicine.
  • Medicine for infectious diseases.
  • Medicine for chronic insomnia.

• The name of the medicine or name of the device, in accordance with the law.
• Means of use and data needed for the proper use of the medication or device.
• A visible, legible and comprehensibly written, drawn, or spoken warning to the users to read the instructions for use of the device and to consult a medical professional about possible risk, as well as information about adverse reactions to the medicine or device.

• The product has no adverse side effects.
• It isn’t necessary to consult a doctor before use.
• Use of the product will allow a consumer to avoid medical examination, advice, or surgery.
• Use of the product guarantees success in the treatment of disease.
• The product is the best or better than other products.
• The product will improve health.
• Health will be damaged by not using the product.
  • Exception exists for campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Health such as prevention of epidemics.
• The product is food, cosmetics, or other product of general use.
• The product is harmless and effective due to the natural origin.

• Advertising for medical devices classified as Class A or B  of the Medicines Act may require proof the device is registered and classified as Class A or B.

• Comparative advertising for food supplements is not allowed.

• Expressions and images related to the physical environment of the doctor's office and other health institutions and organizations and medical devices or equipment cannot be used.
• Images of healthcare professionals with patients and their relatives before, during and after treatment cannot be included.
• Before and after treatment photos of patients cannot be used.

• The General Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
• The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
• The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
• The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA)
• The Veterinary Medicines Directorate

• Discourage essential treatment of health problems.
• Offer specific advice, diagnosis, or treatment for serious or prolonged conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease), unless given by a doctor or a qualified health professional.
• Imply that vitamins, minerals or supplements can prevent or treat illness, elevate mood, or enhance performance.
• Claim that a vitamin, mineral or any other food supplement is beneficial to health without substantiating the claim with scientific evidence displayed on the website.
• Contradict the fact that a well-balanced diet should provide the vitamins and minerals needed by a normal healthy individual. Advertisers cannot encourage consumers to swap a healthy diet for supplementation.
• Imply that there is widespread vitamin or mineral deficiency or that it is necessary to augment a well-balanced diet.
• Describe products as safe or effective simply because they are "natural" or because the description omits an ingredient in common use.
• Claim that over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or legal herbal supplements are better than any other product or that using or avoiding a product will affect normal good health.
• Offer homeopathic medicines that are not approved in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).