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REGULATORY INFORMATION

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Information for Medical Device Suppliers

Advertising of Medical Devices

The Medicines Act and Regulations state what is, and is not, permitted when advertising medicines and medical devices. Devices that have, or are claimed to have, therapeutic properties must comply with the Medicines Act and Regulations.

Definition of Advertising
Legislation
Claiming a Therapeutic Purpose
Guidance for Medical Device Advertising
Pre-Vetting Services

Definition of Advertising

Section 56 of the Medicines Act 1981 provides the key definitions relating to advertising of medical products. The definitions for advertisement and publish appear below.

Advertisement means any words, whether written, printed, or spoken, and any pictorial representation or design, used or appearing to be used to promote the sale of medicines or medical devices or the use of any method of treatment; and includes any trade circular, any label, and any advertisement in a trade journal

Publish means—

  1. Insert in any newspaper or other periodical publication printed or published in New Zealand; or
  2. Send to any person through the Post Office or otherwise; or
  3. Deliver to any person or leave upon premises in the occupation of any person; or
  4. Broadcast within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1976; or
  5. Bring to the notice of the public in New Zealand in any other manner

Note that (e) covers the advertising of medical devices via the internet.

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External link to Section 56 of the Medicines Act 1981 at legislation.govt.nz

Legislation

The Medicines Act 1981 and its associated Regulations all place controls on the advertising of medical devices. These controls are broadly outlined below. Note that these controls are additional to any other legislative or regulatory controls on general advertising.

Medicines Act 1981, Part 4 Medical Advertisements
Part 4 comprises Sections 56 through 62 inclusive and references Schedule 1 of the Act. The sections of the Act are;

Medicines Regulations 1984, Part 3 Advertisements
Part 3 comprises Regulations 7 through 11 inclusive. The Regulations relevant to medical devices are;

Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003
Regulation 10 notes that a manufacturer or sponsor of a medical device may not claim that inclusion in the database is an endorsement of the safety or suitability for use of that product by the Director-General of Health or the Ministry of Health.

Note that sponsors must ensure all of its advertising complies with all relevant legislation including the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Commerce Act 1986 in addition to the Medicines Act 1981.

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External link to s56 of the Medicines Act 1981 at legislation.govt.nz
External link to Reg. 7 of the Medicines Regulations 1984 at legislation.govt.nz
External link to Reg. 10 of the Medicines (Database of Medical Devices) Regulations 2003 at legislation.govt.nz

Claiming a Therapeutic Purpose

Claiming a therapeutic purpose for a product defines it as a therapeutic product and subject to the requirements of the Medicines Act 1981 and its Regulations. Understanding how the claim of a therapeutic purpose may impact on the regulation of a product will help prevent potential breaches of the legislation. A claim might be overtly made or implied.

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Explanation of Therapeutic Claims

Guidance for Medical Device Advertising

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published a Therapeutic Products Advertising Code which covers the advertising of all therapeutic products. This code provides guidance for advertisers as to what is acceptable when advertising therapeutic products. Medical devices are specifically covered in the code. This code is available to view on the ASA website.

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External link to the Therapeutic Products Advertising Code at asa.co.nz

Pre-Vetting Services

The Association of New Zealand Advertisers provides a pre-vetting service for advertisers of therapeutic products. The Therapeutic Advertising Pre-vetting System (TAPS) will review advertising material (including websites) for compliance with the relevant codes and Regulations.

Alternatively advertisers may wish to use consultants with experience in therapeutic product advertising to ensure compliance with the legislation and regulations.

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External link to information about TAPS at anza.co.nz
Link to Medsafe Regulatory Consultant listing

Page last updated 10 May 2011