Advertisements, abbreviated

Reminder advertisements A reminder advertisement is defined as a short advertisement containing no more than the name of the product and a simple statement of indications to designate the therapeutic category of the product. For reminder advertisements, abbreviated prescribing information may be omitted. 

The prescribing information listed in Clause 4.2 must be provided in a clear and legible maimer in all promotional material for a medicine except for abbreviated advertisements (see Clause 5) and for promotional aids which meet the requirements of Clause 18.3. 

Abbreviated advertisements are advertisements which are exempt from the requirement to include prescribing information for the advertised medicine, provided that they meet with the requirements of this clause. 

Abbreviated advertisements may only appear in professional publications i.e. publications sent or delivered wholly or mainly to members of the health professions and/or appropriate administrative staff. A loose insert in such a publication cannot be an abbreviated advertisement. 

Abbreviated advertisements are not permitted in audio-visual material or in interactive data systems or on the Internet, including journals on the Internet. 

Abbreviated advertisements must be no larger than 420 square centimetres in size. 

Abbreviated advertisements must provide the following information in a clear and legible manner ... 

Diaries and desk pads bearing a number of advertisements are considered to be professional publications and may include abbreviated advertisements for medicines. Similarly, video programmes and such like sent to doctors etc may be considered professional publications and an abbreviated advertisement may he affixed to the side of the video cassette or included on the box containing the video. The prescribing information must, however, be made available for any advertisement for a medicine appearing on audio-visual material or in an interactive data system or on the Internet, including journals on the Internet. Such advertisements cannot be deemed abbreviated advertisements. 

Abbreviated advertisements may in addition contain a concise statement consistent with the summary of product characteristics, giving the reason why the medicine is recommended for the indication or indications given. 

The contents of abbreviated advertisements are restricted as set out in Clauses 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 and the following information should not therefore be included in abbreviated advertisements ... 

Artwork used in abbreviated advertisements must not convey any information about a medicine which is additional to that permitted under Clauses 5.4,5.5 and 5.6. 

Abbreviated journal advertisements (with only the indication being given in the advertisement, bound into a publication and no larger than 420cm2) must contain the asterisked peirticu-lars and a statement that further information is available on request to the licence holder or in the Summary of Product Characteristics or data sheet. 

If products have not yet received marketing authorisation from Swissmedic, no advertisements for these medicinal products are allowed. The same applies for new indications, possible applications, dosages, and pharmaceutical forms and packaging of a medicinal product. The brand name may be used however, it must always be accompanied by the official abbreviated designation of its active ingredients. 

Abbreviated (condensed disclosure) prescribing information When a product has been available on the Canadian market for 2 years and if there have been no reports of previously unsuspected adverse effects of sufficient significance to warrant a warning letter from Health Canada or the manufacturer, the advertising can be accompanied by abbreviated (condensed disclosure) prescribing information. 

Prescribing information on a medicinal product must be provided in a clear and easy-to-read manner in all promotional material, with the exception of abbreviated advertisements of up to one page. Prescribing information must constitute an integral part of the promotional material, must not be separate and should consist of the following ... 

Abbreviated advertisements This type of advertisement is exempt from the obligation to include the prescribing information of the promoted medicinal product, provided that it fulfils the requirements of the present article. 

Abbreviated advertisements may appear only in professional publications, namely publications that are sent or distributed exclusively to healthcare professionals and to nursing personnel. Scientific journals and publications, printed material of congresses, medical pharmaceutical books, etc. fall under this provision. A non-bound leaflet inserted in such a print is not considered an abbreviated advertisement (e.g. independent leaflets distributed through the medical press). 

Abbreviated advertisements must include the following information ... 

Promotional material other than advertisements appearing in professional publications must include the date on which the promotional material was drawn up or the last revision made. Abbreviated advertisement or reminder advertisement This is defined as a short advertisement in a medical journal the following should be included to comply with the regulation and code ... 

In addition, abbreviated advertisements must include prominent information about adverse event-reporting mechanisms. 

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