Advertising of medicines

The advertising and promotion of medicinal products is highly regulated in the EU and UK to ensure the protection of public health. Within the EU, the general rules for the advertising and promotion of medicinal products are set out under the Pharmaceutical Community Code (Pharmaceutical Code), which were implemented into UK legislation by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR 2012), SI 2012/1916, regs 277–316 (Part 14), as amended, following Brexit IP completion day (11 pm on 31 December 2020) to continue its application and implement the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol. The general rules are:

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advertising of medicinal products in respect of which a marketing authorisation (MA) has not been granted is prohibited
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advertising of an authorised medicinal product must comply with the particulars listed in the

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