Advertising, Marketing & Sales

The loss of institutional knowledge about OPDP’s prior comments on promotional materials can result in an enforcement letter for the new owner of a company or product, experts say.

An Office of Prescription Drug Promotion “untitled” letter cites a short-form video by interior designer and TV personality Nate Berkus, continuing an enforcement trend involving drug promotions by social media influencers and celebrities.

Advertisers are facing a 20 November deadline to bring TV and radio ads into compliance, but stakeholders still question the reg’s scope, including whether and how it applies to ads on streaming services and social media platforms. FDA advisory comments suggest the agency is taking a hard stand on the rule’s ‘dual modality’ requirement.

Australia’s industry group has updated its code of conduct with a number of new provisions, including one that clarifies its stance on members using its complaints system to disrupt another company's business.

Multiple and repeated complaints will sharpen the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion’s focus on an advertisement, Director Catherine Gray said, while Foley Hoag partner August Horvath said the self-regulatory NAD process is best suited to complaints that lack a ‘great scientific basis’ for objecting.

Bayer adds dry eye treatment to its Bepanthen skin care range; Stada launches special edition Elotrans supplement for Eintracht Frankfurt fans; Hermes offers chewable magnesium supplement; and Klosterfrau introduces Oyono Night extension to help troubled sleepers maintain their immunity.

ProBiotix Health has announced two commercial partnerships for the distribution of its probiotic ingredients, with Deutsch-Pharm in Ukraine and Eifron in Greece respectively.

Country Life Vitamins launches healthy aging support line as it announces less than half of US consumers in a recent survey were aware of biological processes that affect aging. Groupe Berken and Arctic Biosciences partner to bring to North America herring caviar oil extract in a supplement designed to support optimal health across all life stages.

FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak says the agency has acted outside the bounds afforded by Congress, citing several areas within consumer protection, including a recent update to the final rule for the Health Breach Notification Rule and the commission’s use of notices of penalty offense to serve as the basis for Section 5 settlements. 

After launching Retaine MGD Advanced, OcuSoft says a release by Bruder Healthcare referenced Retaine MGD trademark and statements from a previous OcuSoft announcement about the original product attributed to an optometrist. B+L, Rohto brand and homeopathic firm Relief Products also make US OTC eye care space moves.