Consultation on the draft guidance document: The Distinction Between Promotional and Non-promotional Messages and Activities for Health Products

Health Canada is announcing a 60-day consultation on the draft guidance: The Distinction Between Promotional and Non-promotional Messages and Activities for Health Products, formerly known as a policy entitled The Distinction Between Advertising and Other Activities. The purpose of this consultation is to obtain input on the revised guidance document from all relevant stakeholders (e.g., industry associations, health product manufacturers, advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, consumers, the advertising industry, provincial / territorial authorities, etc...).

Health Canada recognizes that it is important for health product manufacturers to disseminate non-promotional information regarding health products and for health care professionals and the general public to be able to access such information. The purpose of the guidance document, The Distinction Between Promotional and Non-promotional Messages and Activities for Health Products, is to clarify and outline factors and circumstances that contribute to rendering a message or activity non-promotional.

Since the policy was originally published in 1996 (and updated for administrative purposes in 2005), the Canadian advertising landscape has considerably evolved. Health Canada has identified several elements of the policy that require updates, including the use of the Internet and Social Media in health product advertising.  In consideration of today’s advertising context, practices and trends, Health Canada has been working with two advertising pre-clearance agencies to revise the policy into a more up to date, accurate and relevant draft guidance document that will be useful to all stakeholders.

Join in: how to participate

Step 1

To request the draft guidance document, please email MHPD_DPSC-Advertising_Reg_Publicite@hc-sc.gc.ca.

You will receive the draft guidance document.

Step 2:

Please email your comments to MHPD_DPSC-Advertising_Reg_Publicite@hc-sc.gc.ca.

All comments will be considered in the finalization of the guidance.

Who is the focus of this consultation

We will engage with:

• Academia
• Health product manufacturers
• Health care professionals
• General public

Related information

• The Distinction Between Advertising and Other Activities (1996)

Contact us

Section of Transparency and Advertising Regulatory Surveillance
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
200 Eglantine Driveway
Address Locator 1906C
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9

Telephone: 418-933-7393 / 343-542-5469.
E-mail: MHPD_DPSC-Advertising_Reg_Publicite@hc-sc.gc.ca