Can A Doctor Promote Products?

What is the medical profession held in high esteem by the public?

Victoria Moore, standards policy officer for the General Medical Council, says, “The medical profession is held in high esteem by the public, who expect doctors to provide sound, honest advice. If you get involved in endorsements you must be careful never to abuse that trust, or the vulnerability of patients, for personal gain. Our guidance is clear that doctors must never allow an interest to affect the way they prescribe for, advise, treat, refer, or commission services for their patients. And they must be open and honest about any interests that could be seen to affect the care they deliver.

Emma Smith, copy advice manager at the Committee of Advertising Practice, says, “You might already know that prescription only drugs can’t be advertised to the public. However, the UK Advertising Code also prohibits advertisers from using health professionals to endorse over the counter drugs and product ranges that include drugs. There is a similar prohibition applying to electronic cigarettes. This effectively means that you can’t promote medicines or electronic cigarettes in an advertising context.