Canadian Advertising and Marketing of Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices and Natural Health Products

This webinar will provide attendees an overview of the relevant statutes, including the Competition Act, Food and Drugs Act and relevant regulations and information about the existence and operation of Canadian advertising pre-clearance agencies. The rules around advertising and marketing health products will be explained using examples, and hot topics in advertising and marketing will be covered, including the use of social media, testimonials and endorsements.

Why Should You Attend:

This advanced webinar will cater to all companies in the health product industry (including external advisors and consultants) who do business, or want to do business, in or with Canada and specifically, companies who advertise and/or market pharmaceuticals (prescription and over-the-counter), medical devices or natural health products in Canada.

These companies should be aware of the strict rules around advertising in Canada, and the penalties for being found offside these rules so that appropriate business decisions can be made. More and more, advertising and marketing campaigns are pushing the boundaries - particularly in the age of social media - and it is important that businesses be able to take appropriate risks to keep up with the competition without steering away from the rules and restrictions.

An error can be costly: Health Canada’s enforcement provisions include the ability to impose strict penalties and jail time, order a stop sale and/or product recall. The costs of doing business are becoming increasingly high, but for companies that can navigate the system appropriately, the benefits of innovative marketing campaigns are numerous.

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

Introduction to the general principles of advertising and marketing law in Canada:

• The Competition Act
• The Canadian Code of Advertising Standards
• The prohibition on false and misleading advertising
• Claim substantiation
• General rules around advertising and marketing drugs and natural health products, including rules around packaging and labelling
• Use of advertising pre-clearance agencies
• Hot topics:
• The use of social media
• Testimonials
• Endorsements
• The importance of privacy laws

Who Will Benefit:

• Regulatory affairs personnel
• Marketing staff
• Business development or legal personnel within any pharmaceutical, medical device or natural health product (dietary supplement) company that advertises or markets product in Canada
• External consultants who advise pharmaceutical, medical device or natural health product (dietary supplement) companies on advertising and/or marketing product in Canada