134 - I'm puzzled by an ad on the cover of a specialist journal, announcing that a product is now availabile in Canada. There are no other claims or description of the product, other than suggesting the physician call the pharma company for more information or samples. I'm puzzled becuase the ad has no balance copy, no warnings, and has not been PAABed; there is no prescribing information. The company must feel that the ad falls out of the scope of the PAAB Code, but i don't see any of the exemptions applying. Plus, launch is a time when MDs are particularly in need of info regarding safety information. The masthead says that all drug ads have been cleared by PAAB, but this is clearly not the case. Is there something I am missing?
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Advertising conveying no claims other than the commercial message that the product is now available is exempt from PAAB review under PAAB code s1.5 (use of drug name only in a context not linked to a therapeutic message in any way). Please call me at the PAAB office if you have any questions about this answer.
