DRAP bans unapproved ads of therapeutic goods

ISLAMABAD: The federal health authorities have imposed a strict ban on the advertisement of therapeutic goods—including allopathic medicines, herbal remedies, nutraceutical products, and medical devices—without regulatory approval.

All promotional activities will now require authorisation from a newly constituted board.

The decision, outlined in the Therapeutic Goods (Advertisement) Rules, 2025, notified this week, marks a significant regulatory shift aimed at curbing misleading claims and ensuring public safety.

Officials from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) told The News on Friday that under the new rules, no pharmaceutical company, healthcare provider, or media platform can advertise therapeutic products—including medicines, medical devices, and alternative remedies—without explicit permission from the board to be established under the notification.

DRAP Chief Executive Officer Asim Rauf said that the new rules aim to curb the rampant promotion of unregulated health products, including allopathic medicines, herbal remedies, and medical devices, which pose serious risks to public health.

“You open social media and see advertisements—many promoting unethical products,” he said.

“Under the new rules, companies and individuals must obtain approval from DRAP’s advertisement board before promoting their products.”

Rauf acknowledged that while print and electronic media have generally been responsible for airing advertisements for therapeutic goods, some newspapers have recently published ads for medicines with potential misuse risks, highlighting the need for stricter oversight.

The move aligns with global efforts to regulate direct-to-consumer advertising of healthcare products and prevent exaggerated or false health claims.

The notification issued by DRAP details a monitoring and enforcement framework for therapeutic goods advertisements. The newly formed board will scrutinise all marketing materials before they reach the public. Any violation of the prescribed guidelines will result in strict penalties, including fines and possible revocation of marketing rights.

The rules apply to all forms of advertising, including print, electronic, and digital media. Pharmaceutical companies and health product manufacturers must submit promotional materials for review to ensure compliance with scientific accuracy and ethical marketing practices.

Advertisements targeting the general public will be closely monitored to prevent misleading claims about product efficacy, safety, or superiority, another DRAP official warned.

Health experts and consumer rights activists have long raised concern over misleading pharmaceutical advertisements, particularly those promoting unverified benefits of drugs and medical devices.

“The unchecked marketing of alternative medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal treatments has been a growing issue, with several cases of unapproved products falsely claiming to cure chronic diseases,” he added.