The MHRA's policy is to publish a report of the outcome of investigations into complaints about advertising for licensed medicines, to inform stakeholders and the public. It will supplement the actions already taken to alert health professionals and the public to misleading advertising such as the publication of a corrective statement where a serious risk to public health is perceived.
We also publish reports of actions taken in cases where advertisements have been identified through MHRA monitoring of published advertising.
The publication of a summary reports is intended to provide guidance to advertisers on how the Regulations are interpreted and also act as an information resource for advertisers, consumers and the media on decision making and actions taken by the MHRA in advertising casework. This has a number of potential benefits including improved compliance with the Regulations.
Results of investigations
The results of investigations in the last seven years are listed below.
Contacts for further information
Anyone who has concerns about misleading advertising of medicines should contact advertising@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or write in to the Advertising Standards Unit, Area 0-3, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SZ. Alternatively, contact the pharmaceutical self-regulatory bodies, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) for advertising for over the counter medicines, or the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) for advertisements to health professionals for prescription medicines.
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23 May 2013 | Promotion of an unlicensed medicinal treatment by Dickson Chemist, January 2013
A complaint from the MS Society was passed to the MHRA in January 2013. The complainant was concerned that Dickson’s Chemist was promoting an unproven and unlicensed treatment for MS, Protopac through a leaflet sent to customers.
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23 May 2013 | Advertising of unlicensed homeopathic medicine by Bio Pathica Ltd, April 2013
A leaflet about Engystol N issued by Bio Pathica Ltd was brought to the attention of the MHRA by a member of the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products who was concerned that an unlicensed homeopathic product was being promoted.
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23 May 2013 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – April 2013
The following companies have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that prescription only medicines are not promoted to the public.
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26 Apr 2013 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – March 2013
The following companies have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that prescription only medicines are not promoted to the public.
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02 Apr 2013 | Intrinsa (testosterone 300mcg/24hr transdermal patch), December 2012
A healthcare professional complained to the MHRA about a mailer for Intrinsa produced by HFA Healthcare Limited which was disseminated to pharmacists in December 2012.
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02 Apr 2013 | Promotion of an unlicensed medicine by Special Products Ltd - December 2012
ViroPharma complained to the MHRA in December 2012 about a “Medicines Safety Alert” bulletin dated June 2012 from the Health and Social Care Board, Northern Ireland regarding buccal midazolam preparations.
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02 Apr 2013 | Advertising of unlicensed medicines by Spirit Healthcare Ltd, October 2012
Quantum Pharmaceuticals complained to the MHRA about the advertising and promotion of unlicensed medicines by Spirit Healthcare Limited at a recent Pharmacy Show in Birmingham.
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02 Apr 2013 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – February 2013
The following companies have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that prescription only medicines are not promoted to the public.
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02 Apr 2013 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – January 2013
The following companies have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that prescription only medicines are not promoted to the public.
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25 Feb 2013 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – December 2012
The following companies have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that prescription only medicines are not promoted to the public.
