Advertising for medication meets various rules, in particular that of not being misleading or of not undermining the protection of public health, as indicated by the Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity. It is also subject to control by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).
The drug policeman thus announced, in a news article published on February 8, that advertising around a particular drug would soon be banned. It is ibuprofen 400 mga nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the short-term treatment of fever and/or pain (headacheflu-like conditions, dental pain, etc.).
It will thus be prohibited to advertise ibuprofen 400 mg in newspapers, on television or even on the internet. from April 2, 2024.
Ibuprofen 400 mg: why will advertising around this drug soon be banned?
How to explain this ban? The ANSM reminds that it is recommended to favor ibuprofen 200 mg as first intention. Gold, “despite the mention of caution in advertisements to the general public (…) these advertisements for medicines containing 400 mg of ibuprofen were not likely to encourage patients to start with the lowest dose of ibuprofen, namely 200 mg”it is specified.
The ANSM also notes that reports of serious adverse effects linked to ibuprofen 400 mg have increased. She cites in particular gastro-digestive hemorrhages and kidney damage. So, “this ban is part of the continuity of our actions in favor of the proper use of these medicines available without a prescription and in common use”it is specified.
Note that this decision “does not, however, call into question the positive benefit-risk balance of these medications”underlines the ANSM.
Sources :
- ANSM – Ban on advertising to the general public for ibuprofen 400 mg, 02/08/24
- Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity – Advertising
- ANSM – Control of drug advertising
