In the light of the latest technological developments, the regulation on the dissemination of advertising of medicinal products aimed at the public and healthcare professionals is revised, and excessive requirements on advertising of medicinal products are removed.

Draft Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania amending Order No V-1128 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 December 2006 approving the Rules on the Advertising of Medicinal Produc

The draft order revises the provisions setting out the requirements for the presentation of mandatory information on the medicinal product being advertised:

1) in advertising aimed at the public:
- when advertising via electronic communication media (television, a website or radio, where applicable), the clearly legible statement ‘Advertisement for a medicinal product’ must be displayed throughout the duration of the advertisement, all mandatory information must be presented against a contrasting background and be clearly legible; mandatory verbal statements must be read out with clear articulation and at a pace that ensures the information is understood;
- it is suggested to use more attention-grabbing wording in the text of the statement urging readers to read the information on the package leaflet carefully (e.g. ‘Attention!’);
- it is no longer necessary to repeat the warning statements concerning the correct use of the medicinal product after each advertised medicinal product; instead, they may be displayed and read out at the end of the advertising spot where that spot advertises medicinal products of the same marketing authorisation holder;
- it is allowed to present advertisements using banners, providing reduced information and the necessary link to the official websites of the competent authorities (European Medicines Agency (EMA) and State Medicines Control Agency (SMCA));
2) in advertising aimed at healthcare professionals:
- it is proposed to reduce the length of the mandatory information and to allow all or part of this information to be provided via a web link, using a QR code directing users to official sources of information on medicinal products – the EMA and/or SMCA websites;
- excessive requirements to indicate in advertisements of medicinal products the maximum retail price of the medicinal product or the patient’s co-payment when the medicinal product is reimbursed are removed