AMMAN: The Jordan Food and Drug Administration has introduced a new regulatory framework to tighten controls on the advertisement of specific medicines, with a focus on ensuring patient safety and preventing misuse, the Jordan News Agency reported on Monday.
JFDA Director General Nizar Mheidat said that the regulations were designed to reinforce the proper promotion of medications, particularly those that carry higher risks for patients.
These include drugs under the Controlled Access Program, those requiring a Pregnancy Prevention Program for women of childbearing age, registered antibiotics, narcotics, psychotropic substances, and medicines exclusively dispensed in hospitals.
The new guidelines prohibit the advertisement of any medicine before it is officially registered, even if it has been authorized for import or granted an emergency license.
Additionally, the advertisement of information not listed in the official drug registration file is banned.
The regulations also mandate specific clarifications in promotional materials, depending on the drug category. For instance, advertisements for antibiotics must include a statement regarding their impact on bacterial resistance, while vaccine materials must specify patient limitations.
The framework also requires prior approval for any advertising related to non-prescription drugs in the media, including digital and social platforms, to ensure accuracy.
Mheidat said that the JFDA would rigorously enforce these new regulations, with penalties for violators, as outlined in the drug and pharmacy law.
Additionally, direct promotion of medicines to patients is strictly prohibited, with all approved promotional materials directed solely at healthcare providers and adhering to the 2016 pharmaceutical promotion guidelines.
