Advertising Standards Evolve
The introduces new guidelines requiring drugmakers to present risks and side effects more transparently in TV and radio ads, aiming to eliminate misleading practices.
These rules, effective Nov. 20, demand simpler language and the absence of distracting elements, addressing past manipulation of audio and visuals that downplayed safety information.
Challenges and Expectations
Despite the advancements, experts caution that new requirements could unintentionally enable subtle risk downplaying, like choosing how much on-screen text to display.
The efficacy of these rules in changing the overall tone of ads is questioned, as the visuals remain predominantly positive, potentially overshadowing risk messages.