Key Summary
- The MHRA, ASA, and GPhC have jointly issued a warning against businesses violating Committee of Advertising Practice code.
- The ASA will work alongside MHRA and GPhC to ensure professional standards and patients safety.
- The ASA will act swiftly when advertisers are not sticking to the rules.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) have jointly issued a warning to businesses seeking to promote newly licensed prescription-only medicines and unlicensed medicines for weight management.
The three agencies cited recent examples where businesses were promoting pipeline products, such as newer forms of oral and injectable products used for weight management, and newly licensed oral GLP-1s, which are prescription-only medicines (POMs).
They pointed out that the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) code is clear that medicines must have a licence from the MHRA before they are marketed and that prescription-only medicines or prescription-only medical treatments cannot be advertised to the public.
They added that referencing them by name or using language such as ‘GLP-1 tablets’, ‘oral GLP-1s’ or ‘the new weight-loss tablets’ is likely to breach the Code.
The ASA said it will continue to work alongside its regulatory partners, such as the MHRA and the GPhC to ensure professional standards and patient safety.
ASA regulatory projects manager Jess Tye said, “The weight-management sector is fast-moving, and we regularly see new approaches in advertising from businesses. We remain vigilant to these changes and will continue to act swiftly to take action where advertisers are not sticking to the rules.
"We expect advertisers to heed this warning to protect consumers and maintain a level playing field for businesses.”
GPhC chief pharmacy officer Roz Gittins said, “We will not hesitate to act where those that we register fail to meet our standards. This can include taking enforcement action against the pharmacy, the owner, the Superintendent Pharmacist, or individual registrants. We will continue to work collaboratively with other regulators to keep the public safe.”
MHRA executive director of Healthcare Quality and Access Julian Beach said, “Medicinal products are not ordinary consumer goods, and improper use or overconsumption may have serious health consequences. The Human Medicines Regulations, including those provisions that relate to advertising of medicines, exist to protect the public.
"These Regulations prohibit the advertisement of a medicinal product for which there is no Marketing Authorisation in force."
