Forum Update: Supporting Community-Led Discussion
The forum was created as a space for shared learning and peer support, and as the community grows, we want to lean more fully into that purpose.
Going forward, PAAB will be taking a more listening-first role in forum discussions. Rather than responding immediately to every question, we’ll be encouraging members to engage with one another, share experiences, and help build collective understanding. PAAB will continue to monitor conversations and will step in to:
- Correct any misunderstandings
- Provide guidance when questions remain unanswered after a few days
- Support discussions where official clarification is needed
Our goal is to foster a collaborative, trusted community where knowledge is shared and strengthened by everyone’s contributions.
Thank you for being part of the conversation.
Bodies reviewing DTC materials
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It's my understanding that both ASC and PAAB offer services for the review of materials directed at consumers (i.e. disease state brochure, disease state website, etc.). Are we mandated to put this through PAAB or do we have the option to decided on the regulatory body. Also, if a piece is approved by ASC does it have to be re-reviewed by PAAB?
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It's my understanding that both ASC and PAAB offer services for the review of materials directed at consumers (i.e. disease state brochure, disease state website, etc.). Are we mandated to put this through PAAB or do we have the option to decided on the regulatory body. Also, if a piece is approved by ASC does it have to be re-reviewed by PAAB?
Happy Friday @tmcd
Health Canada recognizes both ASC and PAAB as bodies who can provide advisory opinions on information directed to consumers (DTC) on educational material discussing a medical condition/disease (see HC link).
Should the context of the piece change through distribution or additional linkages, the audience may no longer be restricted to just consumers. If this is the case, we must assess the new context and audience. As an example, pieces which will be provided to HCPs (e.g., for distribution to their patients), now requires review for adherence to the standards of the PAAB code as per section 1.3 (The scope of the Code of Advertising Acceptance applies to all Advertising/Promotion Systems in both official languages of Canada (English and French) distributed via all media to healthcare professionals and patients) even if they have been reviewed by another preclearance agency.
When HCPs are simply informed of DTC campaigns, the PAAB asks to see (not review) the DTC piece to ensure the linkage between the two assets (e.g. DTC and APS) is permissible.
