Advertising of medicines

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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 in Directive 2001/83/EC, the Pharmaceutical Community Code (Pharmaceutical Code). The UK advertising regime is historically derived from the Pharmaceutical Code, and its advertising provisions were implemented into UK legislation by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR 2012), SI 2012/1916, regs 277–316 (Part 14). Following Brexit, the UK retained and amended this framework so that it continues to apply in the UK as assimilated law. In Northern Ireland (NI), the advertising and promotion of medicines is subject to the Windsor Framework, and from 1 January 2025, such activities must be conducted in accordance with the applicable UK legislative framework, as modified for NI,

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Latest Life Sciences News

Team-NB publishes letter on cybersecurity proposals for MDR and IVDR changes

The European Association of Medical Devices Notified Bodies (Team-NB) has published  a letter on setting out its position on strengthening cybersecurity for medical devices in Europe and responding to proposed amendments to the Medical Devices Regulation and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation. Team-NB welcomed efforts to improve cybersecurity for the benefit of patients and expressed support for proposals that clarify general safety and performance requirements and involve the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, while stressing that decisions on device availability and patient safety should remain within the existing MDR and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR)) governance structures. It also supported updating regulatory guidance and developing harmonised standards, noting that this would facilitate compliance, enable presumption of conformity, and reduce burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Life Sciences weekly highlights—5 February 2026

This week's edition of Life Sciences weekly highlights includes analysis of the EU Cybersecurity Package 2026 by Hogan Lovells International LLP and analysis by Lexis+ that discusses key developments in the field of Information Law in England & Wales and at supranational EU level in 2025 and looks ahead to what is coming up in 2026. Also included is news that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced a package of UK–Japan science and technology collaborations, the Health Research Authority (HRA) has announced plans to introduce changes for non-clinical trials of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs) studies to align with the new clinical trials regulations, the Secretary of State launched the National Cancer Plan for England with a strong emphasis on digital, data and innovation, alongside a House of Lords report calling for stronger leadership on medicines supply security, the European Commission has published two new Implementing Decisions updating the references of harmonised standards under the EU medical devices framework, as well as news that the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) has updated its guidance on pharmaceutical companies’ use of social media, among other stories.

Secretary of State Announces National Cancer Plan for England

On 4 February 2026, the Secretary of State launched the National Cancer Plan for England, an ambitious 10-year strategy (2026–2035) to reform cancer care. The Plan spans prevention, service redesign, and research, alongside a strong emphasis on digital, data and innovation.

Public Services Committee publishes report calling for stronger medicines supply leadership

The House of Lords Public Services Committee has published its report titled ‘Medicines security—a national priority’ finding that medicine supply shortages are not prioritised as a national security issue with the Government and NHS lacking oversight and coordination over medicine resilience. It highlights fragile global supply chains, increasing shortages reported by pharmacy workers and the UK’s reliance on China and India for active ingredients leaving patients at risk when essential medicines are unavailable. The report recommends treating medicine security as a national security issue improving communication of shortages across the supply chain boosting UK manufacturing of generic medicines and publishing a Critical Medicines List to strengthen resilience.

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