The Association of Russian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as ARPM) has contacted the FAS in connection with concerns about the List of Recommendations (Practices) being developed for use in improvement of advertisement legislation by CIS countries in terms of regulating online advertisement of medicinal products.
In November last year, a meeting of the Advertising Coordination Council under the Interstate Council on Antimonopoly Policy of the CIS member states was held, at which a decision was made to form uniform principles of fair behavior for bloggers and influencers posting advertising content on the Internet. The draft document was prepared by the FAS of Russia and proposes a ban on the placement of advertisements for medicinal products, medical devices, medical equipment, dietary supplements, and food additives by bloggers (influencers).
However, the Association believes that the regulatory framework being implemented today in Russia fully complies with all WHO recommendations, as well as international acts regulating the circulation of medicinal products. At the same time, the current law on labeling advertising on the Internet allows users to clearly distinguish advertising from other content. The pharmaceutical business, for its part, strictly adheres to current legislative norms and proceeds, first of all, from the interests of Russian citizens, providing them with complete and reliable information about advertised drugs. The proposed innovations, according to ARPM members, will limit the rights of citizens to receive reliable information about the possibilities of responsible self-medication.
The Association sent a letter to the FAS of Russia with proposals on the inappropriateness of introducing a ban on advertising distributed by bona fide bloggers on the Internet, not contradicting the norms of ethics and morality and complying with all the requirements of the advertising legislation.