Therapeutic goods marketing necessitates a higher ethical code than advertising for regular consumer products because consumers rely on them for their well-being. It can be challenging for consumers to evaluate the appropriateness of a therapeutic good for their particular needs, emphasizing the significance of truthful, unbiased, and non-misleading promotional materials. Given the potential hazards of drug use, anyone (including companies) advertising therapeutic goods to consumers must adhere to the advertising requirements.

Due to the inherent risks associated with drug consumption, advertising for therapeutic goods intended for consumer use must adhere to prescribed regulations, applicable to individuals and corporations alike.

Combating the illicit promotion of pharmaceutical products necessitates a comprehensive strategy encompassing regulatory measures, enforcement actions, public awareness campaigns, and interagency coordination.

1. Strengthening Regulations:
   • Clear Guidelines: Establish and regularly update comprehensive guidelines for the advertising of pharmaceutical drugs. Clearly define what constitutes unlawful advertising, ensuring that all advertisements comply with legal regulations. Set high standards for ethical marketing practices to promote responsible and transparent communication about pharmaceuticals.
   • Labelling Requirements: Mandate that all drug advertisements include accurate and complete information about the drug's intended uses, potential side effects, contraindications, and the necessity of a prescription. Ensure that this information is presented in a clear, concise, and easily understandable format for consumers.
      
2. Rigorous Enforcement:
   • Strengthened Monitoring: Establish comprehensive surveillance systems to swiftly identify and address illicit drug advertisements. This includes utilizing digital tools to monitor online platforms and social media for potential violations.
   • Deterrent Penalties: Implement severe penalties for violations, encompassing substantial fines, product recalls, and legal prosecution. Consistent enforcement of these measures will effectively deter future breaches.
      
3. Public Awareness and Education:
   • Consumer Education: Launch public awareness campaigns highlighting the risks associated with unlawfully advertised drugs. Empower consumers to identify and report suspicious drug advertisements.
   • Healthcare Provider Training: Train healthcare providers to recognize and report unlawful drug advertising. Equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and resources to educate their patients about safe medication practices.
      
4. Collaboration:
   • Industry Partnerships: Foster collaboration with pharmaceutical companies to encourage self-governance and compliance with ethical advertising guidelines.
   • International Cooperation: Engage with international regulatory authorities to tackle transnational advertising challenges and exchange effective practices.
      
5. Legal and Technological Solutions:
   • Legislation: Champion laws that fortify protections against deceptive drug advertising, especially online and on social media platforms.
   • Technology Use: Utilize technology to monitor and curb illicit drug advertisements. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques can excel at detecting patterns and probable violations.
      
6. Reporting Mechanisms:
   • Hotlines and Websites: Establish dedicated hotlines and online platforms to facilitate reporting of illegal advertisements by consumers and healthcare professionals.
   • Whistleblower Protection: Enact legislation to protect individuals who disclose morally questionable advertising practices by providing them with legal mechanisms to safeguard their identities and prevent retaliation.
      
7. Research and Analysis:
   • Ongoing Research: Conduct research to evaluate the impact of drug marketing on public health and develop effective regulatory and enforcement mechanisms.
   • Data Sharing: Facilitate data exchange among regulatory agencies, healthcare professionals, and researchers to stay abreast of emerging trends and threats.
      
8. Comprehensive Strategy: Employ a comprehensive strategy by integrating research and data sharing to address the unlawful promotion of drugs and safeguard public health while upholding legal and ethical standards in drug marketing practices.

To curb the detrimental effects of illegal drug advertising, stringent laws and guidelines need to be implemented. Effective enforcement mechanisms must be established to hold accountable those who violate these regulations, deterring future misconduct. Additionally, public awareness campaigns should educate individuals about the risks associated with illegal drug advertising and equip them with the ability to identify and report such practices.

Collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, industry representatives, and community organizations is crucial. Information sharing and joint initiatives can enhance the efficacy of anti-advertising efforts. Robust monitoring systems should be established to detect illegal drug promotion across traditional and online platforms.

Pharmaceutical companies must adhere to ethical marketing practices, avoiding misleading or deceptive advertising. Research is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of different anti-advertising strategies. Finally, international cooperation is necessary to address cross-border drug advertising and trafficking, ensuring a comprehensive global approach to combating this harmful practice.

Legal Provisions Vis-à-Vis Unlawful Advertisement of Drugs:
In India, several laws and guidelines regulate drug advertisements to guarantee ethical and accurate marketing practices that prevent consumer deception. These regulations safeguard public health and preserve trust in the healthcare system by prohibiting false or exaggerated drug claims.

The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954 bans advertisements for drugs and remedies that make magical claims to cure specific diseases like cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, and sexual impotence. Violations carry penalties of imprisonment (six months for first offense, one year for subsequent offenses) and fines.

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 prohibits advertising for misbranded, adulterated, or spurious drugs. Advertisements must comply with the act's labelling requirements, ensuring accuracy and preventing misleading information.

Schedule J of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules of 1945 specifies conditions for which drugs cannot be advertised as preventive or curative. Additionally, all drug advertisements require approval from the licensing authority to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.

The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations of 2002 forbid medical practitioners from endorsing or advertising drugs in deceptive or unprofessional ways. This ensures that healthcare professionals uphold ethical standards and do not contribute to the spread of false information.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) promotes responsible advertising through its self-regulation code. This code mandates that advertisements must be truthful, avoid misleading consumers, and refrain from exploiting their lack of knowledge. ASCI investigates complaints about drug advertisements and takes appropriate action to enforce advertising standards.

The 2019 Consumer Protection Act gives consumers the right to file complaints against misleading advertisements. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can take action against such advertisements, including imposing fines and banning advertisements that violate consumer rights.

The Information Technology Act of 2000 regulates electronic commerce and information dissemination, including online drug advertisements. This Act empowers authorities to take down unlawful or misleading advertisements and penalize violators, ensuring that digital platforms comply with advertising standards.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and State Drug Control Organizations are responsible for enforcing these laws. They monitor advertisements through regular inspections and public complaints. Violations can lead to fines, imprisonment, and the banning of the advertisement or the drug itself. By adhering to these laws and regulations, pharmaceutical companies and advertisers can ensure lawful and ethical practices, safeguarding consumer health and maintaining public trust.

Written By: Md.Imran Wahab, IPS, IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal
Email: [email protected], Ph no: 9836576565