SWI swissinfo.ch ’s Post

| Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan | Stakeholders Comments are invited on Draft Guidelines on Submission of Expenditure Details Under the Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules, 2021 | To ensure innovation, progress, and improvement in healthcare and healthcare products while preserving professional ethics and transparency, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has taken significant steps in line with the provision of Section 7(q) of the DRAP ACT 2012, which mandated the Authority to monitor and regulate marketing practices to ensure the rational use of drugs and ethical criteria for the promotion of therapeutic goods in line with international practices. In exercising this function, DRAP has notified the “Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules 2021” via S.R.O. 1472(I)/2021 on the 12th of November 2021. These rules outline the major forms of interaction between companies and healthcare professionals. To facilitate the implementation, DRAP has developed a draft guideline on submitting expenditure details related to marketing activities targeted towards healthcare professionals to provide clarity and ensure compliance with the Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules 2021. Link to the source: https://lnkd.in/ddeyeCHK.

This newly introduced bill could reshape drug advertising in America. Here's how: This bill aims to prohibit direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for newly approved drugs for the first three years following FDA approval. Created by U.S. Senator Angus King, King is challenging the pharmaceutical industry's advertising practices with groundbreaking legislation. Quick bill summary: 🔎 Protecting Consumers: Drug ads often persuade and mislead consumers, leading to higher costs and potential health hazards. With Americans expected to see over $1 billion in drug ads during the 2024 Olympics, this bill is a critical step in ensuring that newly-approved drugs are not immediately marketed to the public without a thorough understanding of their impact. 💰 Reducing Costs: The bill aims to lower the financial burden on families by reducing the advertising expenses that pharmaceutical companies pass on to consumers. This move ensures that healthcare decisions are based on accurate information from healthcare providers, not advertising executives. ✅ Ensuring Accurate Information: With DTC ads currently allowed in only two developed nations, this legislation prioritizes patient safety and informed healthcare choices over corporate profits. 🤔 Did you know? The U.S. is one of only TWO developed nations (the US and New Zealand) allowing direct-to-consumer drug ads. Senator King's take: "This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible: we can start by making sure newly-approved drugs aren't allowed to immediately flood the market with ads before we fully understand their impact on the general public." What do you think? Should drug companies be allowed to advertise newly approved drugs directly to consumers? ⎯ 💡 Found this information valuable? Follow for similar updates 👏 #pharmaceutical #drugcosts #pharma #healthcare #healthcarereform #pharmaceuticalindustry #consumerprotection #news #ByTheTopics

Most doctors advertising drugs on X get paid, report Washington: American researchers have found in a recent study that most of the doctors promoting a particular drug on social media platform X have received compensation from the companies. According to media reports, the study published in the journal ‘JAMA’ has been jointly conducted by researchers from several American medical institutions. The team identified drugs promoted by doctors on X and then discovered through the OpenPayments website that these doctors were paid by pharmaceutical companies. The US is one of the few developed countries that allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise and sell their drugs through radio, television and social media platforms. Even in the US it is legal for doctors and other medical professionals to receive compensation from companies for promoting drugs. It should be noted that the OpenPayments website helps identify doctors in the US who have received money to promote certain drugs on social media, while also revealing the names of the paying companies. The research team said that although the practice of paying or receiving money for drug promotion may be unethical to some people, it is not illegal and does not affect medical licensing. #doctors #advertising #drugs #paid #report

Most doctors advertising drugs on X get paid, report Washington: American researchers have found in a recent study that most of the doctors promoting a particular drug on social media platform X have received compensation from the companies. According to media reports, the study published in the journal ‘JAMA’ has been jointly conducted by researchers from several American medical institutions. The team identified drugs promoted by doctors on X and then discovered through the OpenPayments website that these doctors were paid by pharmaceutical companies. The US is one of the few developed countries that allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise and sell their drugs through radio, television and social media platforms. Even in the US it is legal for doctors and other medical professionals to receive compensation from companies for promoting drugs. It should be noted that the OpenPayments website helps identify doctors in the US who have received money to promote certain drugs on social media, while also revealing the names of the paying companies. The research team said that although the practice of paying or receiving money for drug promotion may be unethical to some people, it is not illegal and does not affect medical licensing. #doctors #advertising #drugs #paid #report

This is an interesting possible consequence of the recent US Presidential election. If RFK Jr goes through with his plan to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals in the USA, it will leave New Zealand as the only country in the entire world that permits that sort of advertising. Some aspects of New Zealand's medicines regulation and policy are already unique or inconsistent with our trading partners. For example, the Pharmac funding model, lack of patent term extensions, and lack of patent linkage to approvals of generic medicines. So, do you think that NZ would follow the US's lead in banning DTC medicines advertising, or would we remain the outlier? https://lnkd.in/gdiNC3gb

""The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 is a set of guidelines issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals that govern ethical pharmaceutical marketing. The UCPMP covers a variety of topics, including: Brand reminders and free samples The UCPMP 2024 introduces new guidelines and limitations for brand reminders and free samples to curb unethical promotional practices. Continuing Medical Education (CME) The UCPMP requires companies to disclose event details and organizers to outline selection processes transparently. Companies can also sponsor or organize conferences, workshops, and trainings for doctors without collaborating with another entity. However, these events cannot be held outside of India. Interactions with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) The UCPMP prohibits personal benefits to HCPs, such as gifts to HCPs or their family members. Drug promotions Drug promotions must align with marketing approval terms and begin only after approval has been granted. Information about drugs Information about drugs must be balanced, current, verifiable, and free from misleading implications. Professional conduct of medical representatives (MRs) The UCPMP prohibits the use of inducements to gain access to healthcare professionals. Companies are responsible for ensuring compliance of their employees with the code. Promotional material Promotional material such as mailings and journal advertisements must not be designed to disguise their real nature. https://lnkd.in/gGUNBRfM

The Government has recently introduced a new legal framework aimed at promoting ethical marketing practices within the pharmaceutical industry. The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 sets forth comprehensive guidelines to prevent undue influence on healthcare professionals and ensure transparent and responsible marketing. This move represents a significant step towards safeguarding public health and maintaining integrity in the Pharma sector. Industry associations are called to action for strict adherence and the establishment of an Ethics Committee to oversee compliance. Read the full article for a deeper insight: https://lnkd.in/dGnbFv7d #india #pharma #healthcare #legal #law #compliance #future Business Standard

Drug manufacturers are likely to face increasing scrutiny of their branding practices, as the government plans to crack down on lookalike and soundalike brand names of medicines that it believes cause confusion and pose serious risk to patient safety. The government is likely to consider as valid only the brand names which were approved first by the regulator. Drug makers will soon be asked to upload formulation details along with the brand names of their products on the government's portal. This issue was recently discussed in the health ministry. One such example include 'Olvance' a brand name for the antihypertensive drug olmesartan, and 'Oleanz', a brand of the antipsychotic drug olanzapine. Another is IMOX (amoxicillin tablets for humans) and INIMOX (a combination of amoxicillin and cloxacillin10 as an injection for veterinary use). The director general of health services (DGHS) has written to the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, seeking increased surveillance and monitoring of trademarks associated with pharmaceutical products to identify instances of similarity or confusion. Source - https://lnkd.in/dNh4c93c #DrugBrandingCrackdown #PatientSafetyFirst #LookalikeDrugs #DrugRegulation #India #PublicHealth

🚀 Exciting News for Pharmacovigilance Professionals! 🚀 📢 Attention all stakeholders in pharmacovigilance! The MHRA is undergoing a groundbreaking transformation in its systems, set to revolutionize the way adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are handled. 🔍 What's New? MHRA is bidding farewell to legacy IT systems and embracing cutting-edge technology with a brand-new adverse incident database. This state-of-the-art system, set to go live on May 13, 2024, promises to streamline processes and enhance efficiency like never before. 🌟 Key Features: R3 Standard Compliance: The new MHRA database adheres to the ICH ICSR R3 standard and EU implementation guidelines, ensuring seamless integration with international standards. Smooth Transition: Despite the upgrade to R3, MHRA will continue to accept ICSRs in both R2 and R3 standards, providing flexibility and ensuring minimal disruption. No Hassle for Gateway Users: API connections remain unchanged, eliminating the need for organizations to notify MHRA of their R3 readiness. Plus, testing the system is now available for those eager to dive in early! 💼 What Does This Mean for You? Whether you're a pharmaceutical company, healthcare professional, or regulatory expert, this update promises smoother interactions, faster response times, and ultimately, better patient outcomes. 👉 Take Action: Stay ahead of the curve by familiarizing yourself with the latest updates and exploring the test environment to maximize your organization's readiness for the future of pharmacovigilance. 📚 Read More: For a detailed overview of the changes and their implications, check out the full update history on the MHRA website here. https://lnkd.in/gptGZNa6 Join us as we embark on this transformative journey towards safer and more efficient pharmacovigilance practices. Together, we're shaping the future of healthcare, one innovation at a time! 💡 #Pharmacovigilance #MHRA #HealthcareInnovation #DrugSafety

Did you know? In the 1930s, a tragic incident involving diethylene glycol, used as a solvent in a sulfanilamide drug elixir, led to one of the biggest reforms in drug safety. The new formulation led to the deaths of more than 100 people, many of whom were children, as diethylene glycol is highly toxic to humans but was put on the market without any testing. This disaster prompted the creation of the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938, mandating that drugs be tested for safety before being sold. It was a pivotal moment in the history of pharmacovigilance, emphasizing the critical need for rigorous safety monitoring to protect public health. This and other relevant facts will be explained by our team member Rasha Safar, who will lead the training sessions in our Annual Training Campaign on Pharmacovigilance, being launched today. Has your company received this mandatory training? Rasha will be happy to schedule a session with your team #AskRasha #Eignapharma #Pharmacovigilance #Training #Healthcare #DrugSafety