Promotion/information self-regulation

The regulations also address the need to ensure that drug information provided by pharmaceutical firms is truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated. As such, it must be consistent with the indications for use and the established performance and limitations. In Europe, the directives do not impose a specific requirement to review advertising or promotional material before it is released. Acceptable standards may be achieved via voluntary codes of practice and self-regulation. However, national authorities must monitor such material and should have the power to act where the need arises. In the U S, the F DA must vet advertising and promotional material before it is released. 

Internet Member companies shall fully realise that brochures, advertisements in medical journals, internet web pages for the medical profession, and audiovisual materials such as slides, video and other promotional materials are important media in the dissemination of drug information. These items should be produced in compliance with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and relevant self-regulations. The statements contained therein shall be correct, fair and objective, based on scientific data. 

Broadly speaking, the most important factors in the safe use of economic poisons are adequate information and appropriate care by all persons having any contact whatsoever with the poisons. Safety may be promoted but not ensured by voluntary control, such as the self-discipline of industry by legal control, such as regulation of sale, labeling, and distribution and by economic control, such as the refusal of food processors to buy from farmers or dealers food containing excessive residues for which no adequate method of decontamination is known. 

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