Strengthening the Regulation of Medicine Advertising
A draft decree would more strictly regulate medicine advertising in Morocco, with prior approval, transparency requirements and public consultation.
Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection is positioning itself at the forefront of medicine-advertising regulation through the preparation of a draft decree intended to strictly frame this practice. The draft introduces significant changes to the way medicines may be promoted to the public.
Strict Conditions for Obtaining an Advertising Visa
At the heart of this new regulation is the requirement for a visa for any advertisement that indirectly refers to a medicine. According to the draft decree, any advertising campaign intended to raise public awareness of certain diseases and indirectly referring to a medicine must receive prior approval from the Ministry of Health.
The process for obtaining this visa is rigorous. Pharmaceutical establishments must submit a complete file, including a detailed application and a letter signed by the responsible pharmacist. The decision to grant the visa will be taken after the opinion of the national marketing authorization commission, thereby ensuring an in-depth assessment of each application within a maximum period of 60 days from the date the complete file is submitted.
Transparency and Accountability at the Heart of Regulation
The draft decree emphasizes transparency and accountability in medicine advertising. The advertising visa must clearly state the advertising nature of the message and identify the product as a medicine. Strict measures are also provided for cases in which a medicine’s marketing authorization is suspended, thereby protecting the public from any misleading advertising.
Article 3 of this draft law stipulates that “any advertising campaign intended to raise public awareness of certain diseases whose advertising materials indirectly refer to a medicine must be subject to an application for an advertising visa.” A transparent and participatory approach is also being undertaken by the Ministry of Health. The preliminary draft decree is currently available online on the website of the General Secretariat of the Government (SGG), and is subject to a two-week public consultation period.
Specific Requirements of the Draft Decree
The draft decree also includes specific requirements for medicine advertisements. In particular, it stipulates that advertising must not include the product’s trade name, but only the name of the molecule used. Advertising materials must also avoid using characters or colors reminiscent of the medicine’s packaging. The advertising message itself must be clear, identify the product as a medicine, and encourage careful reading of the instructions, accompanied by a warning recommending consultation with a doctor if symptoms persist.
This new regulation of medicine advertising in Morocco marks an important step in protecting public health. By establishing strict standards and strengthening transparency and accountability, the Ministry of Health is committing to ensuring that medicines are promoted ethically and responsibly, in the best interests of Moroccan citizens.