TV, radio ads for prescription drugs, forbidden in Romania

Promoting prescription medicine is forbidden on Romanian TV or radio, but broadcasters are allowed to advertise medical practices, clinics and pharmacies, according to amendments to Romania's broadcasting Code, adopted Tuesday by the National Audiovisual Council (CNA). Adverts for medicine must include: the product's name, its generic name (if it contains a single active substance), its therapeutic purpose and the warning "This is a drug. Read the prospectus carefully." The warning must be spoken clearly, to ensure the accurate perception of the message. The amendments to the Code forbid medical products or treatments, as well as food supplements, to be advertised bearing the endorsement of celebrities, medical personnel or pharmacists. The new Code also prohibits adverts for such products from being aired during children's programming or in the breaks before and after such shows. Producers and distributors of medical products or treatments, or of food supplements, may not sponsor shows aimed at children. Advertising products or treatments for sexual issues is only permitted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Ads for homeopathic products or food supplements must end with a warning, which must be at least three seconds long. Ads for food products used in weight loss diets must not refer to the speed of weight loss, reduction in appetite or increase in perceived satiety, except as allowed by Regulation (EC) no. 1924/2006. The ads must also include a written and spoken warning: "See your doctor before starting the diet." Mediafax