4.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1.1. It is not permitted to advertise any prescription pharmaceutical products to the general public.

4.1.2. No advertising to the general public may mention the fact that the advertised pharmaceutical product is included into any of the lists of medicinal preparations to be provided to certain categories of citizens and expenses borne in its purchase are reimbursed or subsidized by the state.

4.1.3. In the advertising of pharmaceutical products to the general public it is desirable to avoid use of any special medical terms which can be misunderstood or which can mislead consumers.

4.2. PRINTED ADVERTISING MATERIALS

4.2.1. Printed advertising materials, except for those described in sub-clause 4.2.2, should contain the following minimum information:

• the name of a pharmaceutical product (normally, the trade name) and its common name if the product contains only one active ingredient;
• the information necessary for the proper use of the product (including the indications, as well as the main contraindications (if any) and precautionary measures necessary for safe use);
• the name and address of the pharmaceutical company or the organization representing its interests in the Russian Federation; and
• a warning about the existence of contraindications for use and application, and the need to study the package leaflet or to obtain specialist consultations.

4.2.2. “Reminder” advertising is defined as a short advertisement which may contain the trade name of the pharmaceutical product, slogan (a neat, catchy phrase) and a warning about the existence of contraindications for its use and application, and the need to study the package leaflet or to obtain specialist consultations.

4.3. RESTRICTIONS ON THE CONTENTS OF ADVERTISING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The advertising of pharmaceutical products to the general public should not: 

• create an impression that one does not need to consult a doctor;
• uarantee the positive effect, effictiveness, or safety of a pharmaceutical product or the absence of side effects;
• contain references to specific cases of recovery from disease or improvement of health as a result of the pharmaceutical product being used;
• contain expressions of gratitude from individuals in connection with the use of the pharmaceutical product; be addressed to minors;
• create an impression of the advantages of the pharmaceutical product by reference to the fact that the trials required for its state registration have been conducted;
•  facilitate the impression that a healthy person needs to use the pharmaceutical product, except when advertising prophylactic pharmaceutical products;
• contain statements that the safety and/or effectiveness of the pharmaceutical product are guaranteed by its natural origin;
• represent the pharmaceutical product as being a dietary supplement or other product that is not a pharmaceutical product;
•  contain descriptions or images of a pattern of a disease that can provoke erroneous self-diagnosis; feature images of medical or pharmaceutical professionals;
• contain recommendations from scientists, medical professionals, or other persons who fall into neither of those categories, but who in connection with their fame are capable of encouraging the pharmaceutical product’s use; or
• contain any inappropriate, alarming, or misleading terms or graphic depictions of the changes caused in the human body by a disease or injury or by a pharmaceutical product’s effect on the human organism or on any part of the human body.

4.4. OTHER METHODS OF PROMOTION

OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

4.4.1. It is not permitted to promote any pharmaceutical products by means of television shopping programs.

4.4.2. It is not permitted to use pharmaceutical products as prizes or incentives.

4.4.3. It is not permitted to directly distribute free-of-charge samples of pharmaceutical products for promotional purposes to the general public, including, but not limited to, tastings and tests of pharmaceutical products.

4.5. RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR MEDICAL INFORMATION FROM PATIENTS

4.5.1. Whenever contacted by a patient with a request for information, a pharmaceutical company should provide a response to this request. This interaction, however, should not be used to advertise or promote any pharmaceutical product. This includes, for example, cases when after the relevant interaction an exchange of correspondence is published in the mass media.

4.5.2. The response to a request from a patient should not include any information intended to promote pharmaceutical products or be a medical consultation with an attempted diagnosis, or offer proposals regarding possible treatment plans.

4.5.3. If a patient asks about his or her diagnosis and requests special treatment recommendations, any representative of the company (including, but not limited to, the employees of the medical department) should recommend that the patient should see their attending doctor or apply to an emergency medical service.

4.5.4. The rules stipulated in clause 3.9 of this Code also apply to procedures for handling requests for medical information from patients, except for its sub-clauses 3.9.7-3.9.9.