ADVERTISING OF MEDICINES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 16 October 1942, Page 6

ADVERTISING OF MEDICINES

60VEKNMENT CONTROL A NEW MEASURE I From Oiu Own Pin llamentury Reportc; i Wellington. Oct. 15. "This measure is designed to control i the matter of advertising particularly of j patent medicines, both in the Press and over the air and in any other way.', stated the Minister of Health (Mr Nord-j meyer) in the House of Representatives! yesterday afternoon. when giving a ; brief explanation of the Medical Ad vertisements Bill. "New Zealand.” add- j ed the Minister, "has been well behind j other countries as to the control of : ’quack’ remedies, and this measure aimsj at bringing us into line with cither coun , tries and aims also at protecting the public.” The Bill was read a first time. A Medical Advertisements Board will; control all advertisements. This board, will comprise the Director General of Health as chairman, an analyst, a medi ; cal practitioner, and two other persons, all to be appointed by the GovernorGeneral. The right is given to the board j to serve on the proprietor of any drug, cosmetic, denlrifice, article, substance,, preparation, instrument, or apparatus to which any medical advertisement relates or on any person for whom or on , whose behalf a medical advertisement has been published a notice requiring i the proprietor or other person to pr ove i to the satisfaction of the board any, claim or statement which is contained or implied in the advertisement. Per- j sons so served will have the right to l appear before the board and submit evidence. No advertisement subject to: a notice may be published after the expiration of seven days from service of the notice and until the board has, notified its decision. Provision is also made for the control of testimonials appearing in advertisements. Regulations may be made under the Bill to name diseases in respect of which claims to be able to diagnose, prevent, alleviate, treat, or cure may not be published, and specifying drugs that may not be mentioned in any advertisement. Penalties up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding £SO are provided for infringements and for a continuing offence a further fine not exceeding £5 a day may be imposed. The penalty for a corporate body is a fine not exceeding £2OO and up to £2O a dry for a continuing offence. The measure is to come into force on Ist January next-