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Controversy over drug advertising: The Federal Office of Health (BAG) has declared advertising of prescription drugs in doctors’ offices illegal and plans to ban it accordingly. The BAG informed the generic drug manufacturer Sandoz about this in October, the CH Media newspapers report.
Doctors often make their waiting rooms available for a fee as advertising space for prescription medicines or image campaigns.
Legal uncertainty for the entire sector
Sandoz immediately responded to the BAG’s announcement and temporarily suspended its usual service agreements for promotional measures with physicians, the report said. Nevertheless, an administrative procedure has been opened in this regard, Sandoz CH Media announced.
A spokeswoman for Sandoz emphasized the great legal uncertainty that has arisen for the entire sector. She further explained that the company will not enter into any new advertising services contracts with medical practices until legal clarity is provided. However, the pharmaceutical company has indicated that it intends to defend itself against this decision, CH Media further reports.
For example, the legal basis for health advertising includes the requirement of integrity, which is intended to ensure that the prescribing or dispensing of medicines is not influenced by financial incentives.
Will the dispute come to court soon?
According to a BAG spokeswoman, financial benefits for prescription drugs are generally prohibited. The central question in this discussion is whether it is merely a matter of renting out advertising space or whether the advertising measures lead to more prescriptions for generic medicines.
Sandoz is not the only drug manufacturer that advertises in doctors’ offices. The BAG’s decision has a signaling effect for the entire industry. If the BAG sticks to its judgement, the dispute over advertising in the waiting room could soon be brought to court. (oko)
Source:Blick
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