PUTRAJAYA: The Medicine Advertisement Board (MAB) has liberalised requirements and guidelines pertaining to medical advertisements to keep up with the changing healthcare scenario and current needs of all stakeholders, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said on Sept 23.
"Under the liberalisation, some changes and inclusions have been made, such as expansion of the media available for publishing healthcare facilities and services.
"All print media and broadcast media are now allowed, including newspapers and all types of magazines, as well as electronic media such as the Internet, radio and television," he told a news conference here.
Previously, such advertisements were confined to health magazines, directories, leaflets and billboards, whereas press advertisements were limited to congratulatory messages only, he said.
Under the new rules, the use of banners for a limited period to announce the opening of a new healthcare facility was also permitted.
He said advertisements in other countries should comply with the relevant requirements of those countries.
"However, where such advertisements are also available to the general public in Malaysia (for example, through the Internet), then such advertisements should also conform to Malaysian guidelines," he said.
Liow said the information contained in the advertisement should be factually accurate and capable of substantiation and there should not be any laudatory promotion of individual practitioners' skills or experience.
"Misleading claims, with the intention of encouraging the public to procure unnecessary medical services, should not be published. For instance, the use of superlatives, patient testimonials, financial inducements and downplaying of risks are not allowed," he added.
Liow said the regulations on medical advertising were not to dampen medical advertising, but to ensure responsible dissemination about the type and nature of healthcare services available.
"This is because the basic premise of healthcare facilities is to provide quality healthcare services rather than give more emphasis on promotional or marketing activities," he said.
To further facilitate medical advertising, Liow said, MAB would issue approvals within three to five working days instead of the six weeks previously.
"But the fast-track approval procedure is only for applications which are complete and comply with the requirements set by the MAB," he said.
Speaking to reporters after attending an Aidilfitri celebration at the ministry, Liow said the discovery of mosquitoes breeding in the compound of the Penang Hospital was a serious matter.
"Although the mosquitoes were not Aedes, carrier of the dengue virus, we regard the matter as serious because the hospital should set a good example in the eradication of mosquitoes," he told reporters.
He said a compound fine of RM500 had been imposed on the hospital and a warning had been issued to the director. -- Bernama
"Under the liberalisation, some changes and inclusions have been made, such as expansion of the media available for publishing healthcare facilities and services.
"All print media and broadcast media are now allowed, including newspapers and all types of magazines, as well as electronic media such as the Internet, radio and television," he told a news conference here.
Previously, such advertisements were confined to health magazines, directories, leaflets and billboards, whereas press advertisements were limited to congratulatory messages only, he said.
Under the new rules, the use of banners for a limited period to announce the opening of a new healthcare facility was also permitted.
He said advertisements in other countries should comply with the relevant requirements of those countries.
"However, where such advertisements are also available to the general public in Malaysia (for example, through the Internet), then such advertisements should also conform to Malaysian guidelines," he said.
Liow said the information contained in the advertisement should be factually accurate and capable of substantiation and there should not be any laudatory promotion of individual practitioners' skills or experience.
"Misleading claims, with the intention of encouraging the public to procure unnecessary medical services, should not be published. For instance, the use of superlatives, patient testimonials, financial inducements and downplaying of risks are not allowed," he added.
Liow said the regulations on medical advertising were not to dampen medical advertising, but to ensure responsible dissemination about the type and nature of healthcare services available.
"This is because the basic premise of healthcare facilities is to provide quality healthcare services rather than give more emphasis on promotional or marketing activities," he said.
To further facilitate medical advertising, Liow said, MAB would issue approvals within three to five working days instead of the six weeks previously.
"But the fast-track approval procedure is only for applications which are complete and comply with the requirements set by the MAB," he said.
Speaking to reporters after attending an Aidilfitri celebration at the ministry, Liow said the discovery of mosquitoes breeding in the compound of the Penang Hospital was a serious matter.
"Although the mosquitoes were not Aedes, carrier of the dengue virus, we regard the matter as serious because the hospital should set a good example in the eradication of mosquitoes," he told reporters.
He said a compound fine of RM500 had been imposed on the hospital and a warning had been issued to the director. -- Bernama
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