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Govt to tighten rules on medical practice advts

ABU DHABI - The UAE government is all set to tighten rules governing advertisements related to medical practice and medicines in order to protect public from hazards posed by unauthorised medical practices, according to a senior health official.

“The policy on regulating advertisements of medical products will be modified to avert health risks resulting from unauthorised medical related ads, ” said Dr Ali Bin Shakar, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health (MoH). He said the ministry will conduct a comprehensive study and devise stricter measures for controlling ads concerning medical products. The official said that the new rules were expected to be ready by September. Despite increasing the fine for defaulters from Dh1,000 to Dh4,000, violations have lately been on the rise endangering the safety of consumers, he disclosed.

The ministry has recently detected and foiled several attempts by the companies and anonymous traders to promote products that have grave impact on human health.

According to the Higher Medical Advertisement Committee (HMAC) regulations text of an ad should be clear and should not give rise to multiple interpretations.

According to rules in force, it is not permissible for companies to resort to hyperbole to describe products as unique and of best quality.

Under the regulations, medical facilities outside the UAE would not be given publicity in the local Press unless they get the approval of the ministry and the UAE embassy in the respective country. The text of medical ads should not contradict Islamic values, traditions and norms of the UAE society, according to the existing rules.

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