Clause 15 High Standards, Format and Suitability

Where factual safety information given in promotional material is based on advice in the MHRA Drug Safety Update, the information can be referenced to that publication.

Where permission to use emails for promotional purposes has been given by a recipient, each email sent should inform the recipient as to how to unsubscribe from such emails.

An unsolicited enquiry which includes an email address can be responded to by email without specific permission, consent to do so being implied in such circumstances. There is no need to inform recipients as to how to unsubscribe to an email response to an enquiry.

When promotion is carried out remotely, such as by telephone call, web chat or other online calls, prior permission from the recipient must be obtained in advance or at the start of the contact or call. In setting up the contact or call, full details must be given of the company the caller will represent, their role and the purpose of the call. Arrangements made to discuss a specific product should be adhered to.

Promotional material sent in the guise of personal communications is inappropriate. Promotional material must not imply that the contents are non-promotional, for example, that the contents provide information relating to safety. The identity of the responsible pharmaceutical company must be obvious.

When a company pays for or otherwise secures or arranges the publication of promotional material in journals, such material must not resemble independent editorial matter. Care must be taken with company sponsored reports of events/meetings and the like to ensure that they are not disguised promotion. Sponsorship must be declared in accordance with Clause 5.5.