Canada Plans Further Restrictions for Opioid Advertising

Health Canada proposes to place further restrictions on drug manufacturer advertisements for opioids and is requesting information from stakeholders by July 18 as it prepares a proposed regulation for release in early 2019.

The agency called for details on opioid marketing and advertising, including costs, format and frequency, as well as the purpose of opioid-related information and materials, such as promotional, scientific or educational. It also requested information on the potential risks, benefits and impacts of opioid marketing and advertising.

The agency is implementing on a 2017 commitment from Canada’s Minister of Health to ensure opioid prescriptions are properly tracked and increase the transparency of opioid marketing.