At the end of every commercial for medicines, the manufacturer must indicate who to contact in the event of risks and side effects. So far, however, the reference sentence has omitted doctors and pharmacists. This is about to change soon.
In drug advertising, the prescribed warning text is to be changed, which points to further inquiries. In the future, the sentence should read: "Read the leaflet on risks and side effects and ask your doctor or ask at your pharmacy," says a draft of the Federal Ministry of Health. So far the wording is: "...and ask your doctor or pharmacist".
The warning has been the subject of discussions for years because of its gender-specific wording, the draft explains. "The change is now intended to take gender equality aspects into account." The ministry is also taking up demands from professional associations. Among other things, the German Medical Association had spoken out in favor of a change, since the previous formula no longer fit the time - female doctors now make up around half of the workforce.
According to the draft, there should be a transitional period of five months after the amendment to the law comes into force. According to the Law on the Advertising of Drugs, the reference to advertising "outside the specialist circles" must be clearly legible and clearly separated from other advertising statements. In TV advertising, it must be shown in front of a neutral background and spoken at the same time.
