“For information about risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.” Almost anyone can recite this sentence from medication advertising in their sleep. It will be changed at the end of the year. That’s what lies behind it.
The sentence has been part of every drug advertisement for decades – and has long since become a household word: “For information about risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.” From December 27th, advertisers and consumers will have to get used to it because the advertising notice will be changed.
Last June, the Bundestag decided to amend the Medicines Advertising Act, which stipulates the passage of medication advertising outside of specialist circles. In the future the note will be: “For information about risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor Pharmacy.“
New reference in medication advertising motivated by equality policy
The first pharmaceutical companies have already started to adapt their commercials accordingly during the transition period. During the legislative process there was criticism of the new wording from several quarters. The Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, for example, rated the new sentence structure as “bulky”.
In the draft bill from February, the Federal Ministry of Health justified the change by saying that with it “equality policy aspects must be taken into account” should.
The origin of the reference lies in the 1990s, reports “Pharmaceutical newspaper”. At that time, drug advertising should actually be banned in general. It was then stipulated that everyone Mandatory information from the Package leaflets also had to be presented in advertising – hardly affordable in a commercial. At the end of the discussions there was the sentence. “About risks and Side effects Read the Package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.” It remained in this form for almost 34 years.
Sources: , DPA news agency
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
