Stricter rules for health care advertising

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would regulate health care advertising, distinguishing between advertising aimed at the public and advertising aimed at health care professionals.
2. Only authorized health care centers, services and establishments could advertise to the public, limited to the activities they are authorized to provide.
3. Public-directed advertising would have specific requirements: clearly identify the activity, use clear messages, warn about risks, include the registry number, and advise consulting a health professional in case of doubt.
4. Ads promising guaranteed results, aimed at children, using cure testimonials, offering discounts or incentives, or comparing or disparaging other professionals would be banned, among other practices.
5. Public-directed advertising would require prior administrative authorization, with a decision within two months and a maximum validity of five years; professional-directed advertising would only need to be reported before it starts.
6. The bill would allow a cease-and-desist action against advertising that breaks the law, requested by authorities, consumer associations, professional bodies and holders of a legitimate interest, plus penalties under health regulations.

Who it affects

• Health care centers, services and establishments: Only they could advertise to the public, with prior authorization and subject to bans and requirements.
• Health care professionals: They could not back commercial advertising aimed at the public or call themselves specialists without the official degree.
• Drug and medical device companies: They would be banned from public-directed health care advertising.
• Consumers and patients: They would get more truthful advertising and could demand that unlawful ads stop.
• Health authorities and professional bodies: They would inspect, authorize and control health care advertising.

Words worth knowing

Acción de cesación

A request or lawsuit to force someone to stop advertising that breaks the law.

Prestación sanitaria

Health-related services that are not a health care activity proper.

Actividad sanitaria

Work to promote, prevent, diagnose, treat or rehabilitate health.

Autorización administrativa previa

Permission that must be requested and obtained from the health authority before running the ad.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries