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. All complaints received from 1 December 2003 will be published here.
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 our investigations since 1 December 2003 are 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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26 Jan 2012 | Advertising complaint: Saturday Times magazine article on bimatoprost - November 2011
A member of the public complained to the MHRA about an article on bimatoprost which was published in the Saturday Times magazine of 12 November 2011. The MHRA has issued advice for journalists on reporting to the public on medicines.
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26 Jan 2012 | Advertising complaint: Homeopathic products in Holland and Barrett stores - November 2011
The Nightingale Collaboration complained to the MHRA about point of sale advertising of Nelson’s homeopathic products in Holland and Barrett stores and on their website. The MHRA upheld the complaint.
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26 Jan 2012 | Advertising complaint: Advertisement for bimatoprost to consumers - December 2011
A member of the public complained to the MHRA about advertising for unlicensed use of bimatoprost on the frugaloo website. The MHRA upheld the complaint.
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26 Jan 2012 | Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – December 2011
The companies in this article 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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06 Jan 2012 | Advertising complaint: Case upheld, Melatonin, Lloyds Pharmacy Online - September 2011
A member of the public complained to the MHRA about an advertisement for melatonin on the Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor service website. The complainant was concerned that the website promoted melatonin for an off-label use, jet lag, without supporting evidence.
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05 Jan 2012 | Advertising complaint: Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products - November 2011
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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14 Nov 2011 | Advertising complaint: Potential promotion of an unlicensed medicine at UK conferences - September 2011
ViroPharma Limited alerted the MHRA to the possibility that Special Products Ltd (SPL) may have plans to use promotional materials for Epistatus, an unlicensed medicine, at upcoming UK conferences.
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14 Nov 2011 | Advertising complaint: Intanza Influenza vaccine, healthcare professional advertisement - September 2011
A healthcare professional brought an advertisement for Intanza to the attention of the MHRA. It was alleged that the product was being promoted for use to the elderly as being more immunogenic and superior to the standard intramuscular (IM) influenza vaccine without adequate supporting evidence.
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14 Nov 2011 | Advertising complaints: Boots pharmacy stores, homeopathic medicines – June 2011
A member of the public complained to the MHRA about point of sale advertising for homeopathic medicines produced by Boots which appeared in their stores. The MHRA upheld the complaint.
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14 Nov 2011 | Advertising complaint: Clinics advertising botulinum toxin products – October 2011
The companies in this article have amended their advertising following MHRA action on complaints to ensure that Prescription Only Medicines are not promoted to the public.
