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.
36 - In your answer to question 34, you state "If the information is created independently of the company it is usually not advertising." I can think of clear examples of "text or reference books" that are produced by an independent publisher, but which deal almost exclusively with a single pharmaceutical product. If such items are paid for and distributed by company representatives, even though produced independently, are they advertising?
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I said "usually" for a reason and you found an exception. Refer to the Health Canada document "the Distinction between Advertising and other Activities". If the book is primarily about one drug, distribution by sales reps would probably be viewed as a promotional activity because that is what sales reps are paid for. Independently published text books are not required to be reviewed by the PAAB. The content of the book would have to be examined to see if there is a violation of the PAAB Code. This case is similar to distributing clinical reprints that were independently published.
