Vietnam Gets Strict on Health Products Advertising

The Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Health have jointly issued two updated guidelines on health and medical products advertising. The guidelines apply to advertisements for health-related matters, such as check-ups and treatment, medications, cosmetics that influence health, vaccines, bio-products, medical equipment, and food, chemicals, insecticides and antiseptics used in household appliances or the health sector.

The guidelines are:

  • Advertisements for medical check-ups and treatment must not overstate the qualifications of the health professionals involved. Furthermore, only procedures and practices approved by the Ministry of Health can be advertised.
  • Advertising is not allowed for pharmaceutical products and medical equipment that is prohibited in Vietnam, as well as poisons, addictive drugs, prescription drugs, and centripetalneurotropic substances.