Hi @georgian21

It is a requirement of the most recent Distinction Between Advertising and Other Activities document from Health Canada, that the sponsor is identified. This can be through the logo or copy.

Pg 8: Section: Medical condition and treatment awareness materials
“Declaration of sponsorship of such materials, by name or logo, is required and does not in itself render the material promotional.”

When a DTC ad is reviewed by PAAB the inclusion of the logo is preferred but not mandatory. Our logo is intended to be an indicator to the audience that the APS has undergone an independent review to meet high standards that help support the health and safety of Canadians. In text only pieces (where the platform does not allow for images), we can consider the copy “Reviewed by PAAB”. These should be rare exceptions and can be discussed during the review process. HCP and patient APS require inclusion of PAAB logo (or text when the platform does not enable inclusion of logos)

@jennifer-carroll Thank you for the clarification!

@donna

Thank you for the clarification. We will set aside the banner ad for a moment and address the collection of accredited CHE on a gated section of a corporate sponsored website first. It is important that this method of distribution / dissemination of the CHE meets the accrediting body’s regulations (possibly including approval by the body). Also, if there is any content in addition to the accreditor-approved library of manufacturer-sponsored CHE on the website, that website likely requires PAAB review. At the very least, the website framework should be reviewed.

With regards to the non-product branded banner ad, when understood that it meets the accrediting body’s regulations (possibly including approval by the body), it would not require PAAB review if the website did not require review. If there was any content in addition to the accreditor-approved library of manufacturer-sponsored CHE on the website, then the banner would be assessed as part of our review of the website framework.

This sort of scenario is multi-factorial. If there are additional factors you’d like us to consider regarding this initiative, please submit an advisory opinion.