The ASMI Code of Practice
What is the ASMI Code of Practice?
The ASMI Code of Practice sets the ethical standards for advertising and promotion of non-prescription consumer healthcare products in Australia. This system of self-regulation complements the co-regulatory advertising controls and the legislative requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 and Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
The Code is authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It follows the National Medicines Policy which aims to improve health outcomes for all Australians.
The provisions of the Code are applied to promotional material in below-the-line activity directed to consumers, and to marketing support directed to healthcare professionals. Acceptance and observance of its provisions are binding and a condition of membership of ASMI.
The objectives of the Code are to assist Members to:
- Responsibly inform consumers about products
- Make accurate, balanced and objective claims
- Promote the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM)
The Code is monitored and reviewed by ASMI’s Marketing & Ethics Subcommittee. The annual Code review process takes into consideration the views of both internal and external stakeholders.
Applications of the Code include:
- Principles of Practice - conduct of Members and compliance with law (TGAC and GMP)
- Nature of advertising and promotion - misleading claims, substantiation with scientific evidence and comparative advertising
- Promotional techniques for Pharmacy Medicines (Schedule 2) or Pharmacist Only Medicines (Schedule 3) or internal analgesics
- Direct-to-consumer advertising of Pharmacist Only Medicines (Schedule 3)
- Indirect/unbranded consumer advertising
- Specific requirements for advertising and promotion to healthcare professionals
- Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)
- Administration of the Code - complaints handling procedure, complaints panel and appeal process
- Protocol for the activities of the Promotional Monitoring Panel
NOTE: This is an updated version of the Code (as at June 2011), capturing changes ratified at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. Members should see the Call for Comment page in the Industry section of the site for more information on these changes and their authorisation by the ACCC.
Guidelines for ASMI Members for procedures and interpretation of ASMI Code of Practice 2010
For information on outcomes of complaints see the Code Determinations page.
If you have any questions regarding the ASMI Code, please contact Steve Scarff on 02 9922 5111 or steve@asmi.com.au