Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
06/09/2017
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Medicines are not common consumer goods, but health goods, so your advertisement is subject to specific rules.
By: Ascom / Anvisa
Posted: 08/06/2017 10:05
Last Modified: 06/08/2017 10:42
Many advertisements for health products and medicines are advertised on the internet every day. Some offer drugs that can only be bought at pharmacies, upon prescription of a special prescription, or announce miracle promises without proof.
Anvisa acts in the supervision of drug advertisements, which must present complete, clear and balanced information and alert to the risks inherent to its use, without highlighting only the benefits of the product.
For the general public, only advertising of prescription-free prescription drugs, ie advertisements for medicines that do not have a red or black stripe on their packaging, is allowed. Medications that require a medical prescription (red or black stripe) can only be announced to healthcare professionals who can prescribe (doctors or dentists) or dispensing (pharmaceuticals) medications.
Medications must be registered with Anvisa so that they can be marketed and advertised in advertisements. If in doubt, check that the product is registered on the Agency's website, in the Product Inquiry, as it may be an irregular product or even a forgery.
Surveillance of advertisements on the internet
Only in 2016, Anvisa acted against 1,293 irregular product announcements on Internet shopping sites. Among the promising promises, there were signs of weightlessness, unapproved dermatological treatment and even irregular drug trade. In 2015 the Agency banned 657 ads.
In the first half of 2017, 1,503 irregular ads have already been removed. The number refers to the partnership between Anvisa and Mercado Livre that implements permanent actions to exclude irregular products and ads from the sales site.
The main actions refer to advertisements for clandestine products or that promise results that were not approved by Agênciaa. But there is also the sale of controlled drugs like Ritalin and Sibutramine that could only be sold in pharmacies, with special prescription and used according to prescription of a doctor.
Report Abuse
In addition to the specific action with the Free Market, Anvisa performs other actions against irregular advertisements on other sites, according to denunciations.
Therefore, it is important that you report: if you identify advertisements or promotions that present irregularities in the information about products subject to sanitary surveillance (medicines, food, cosmetics, sanitizers, health products, etc.), forward a message to Anvisa's Ombudsman's Office.
False promises
Some of the prohibited advertisements were products:
Dermapen and Dermaroller (a procedure that pierces the skin with several needles promising to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, acne, besides aiding in rejuvenation and melasma).
Exo Hair (progressive brush method).
In the case of the announcement of controlled drugs such as Desobesi, Sibutramine and Ritalin, besides the prohibition of advertising, Anvisa referred the cases for police investigation, since these are cases in which there are companies involved and falsification or irregular sale of registered product.
Anvisa opens a process of investigation, which results in inspection, filing or filing. When there are individuals involved the complaint is also forwarded to the police authorities for joint action with the Agency.
So watch out and be wary of miracle promises. If in doubt, contact Anvisa.
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Source: Anvisa
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.