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The British advertising watchdog is reducing ads for weight loss medication.
The Authority Authority (ASA) discovered about 1,800 unique weight loss ads during a January search that apparently promoted prescription medication (POMs) for weight loss-which is against the law.
In a joint maintenance notice at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPHC), the ASA made clear that all advertisements for specific weight loss poms were prohibited – including those on online platforms, social media and in influencer marketing.
The ASA has instructed the immediate removal of any remaining ads.
In December, the ASA warned businesses and individuals who target members of the public with advertisements for the medicine.
It is said: “No one working in this industry can say that they have not been warned that weight loss medicines should not be promoted to the public only.”
The ASA said it launched 12 investigations, which are currently underway or advertising weight loss poms, including paid online advertising and marketing of affiliate and influencers.
It continued to keep a ‘fine watch’ on the sector and did not exclude further investigations.
Jess times, manager of the ASA regulatory projects, said: “From the beginning, we have made it clear from this initiative that weight loss medicine is only medicine for the public against the law and the advertising rules.”
Dionne Spence, chief handing officer at the GPHC, said: “It is extremely important that people receive only medicine, such as those used for weight control, only after having an appropriate consultation and when their prescriber independently confirmed that the medicine was clinically suitable for them.
“Advertising and special price offers should not be used for medicines that are only prescriptions, as it is likely to promote the specific POM.
“GPHC inspectors will continue to inspect pharmacies to ensure that our standards are met and will be looking for evidence that our guidance for registered pharmacies that follows pharmacy services at a distance, including on the Internet.
“We will work closely with our regulatory partners to ensure that where necessary and proportional steps are taken to protect the public.”
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