Proposal to ban the use of doctor uniforms in cosmetic advertisements
- 23 thg 7, 2025
- 2 phút đọc
Đã cập nhật: 24 thg 7, 2025
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed banning the use of images and uniforms of doctors and pharmacists in cosmetic advertisements to avoid confusion with pharmaceuticals.
This is the content of the draft Decree detailing several provisions and guiding the implementation of the Law on Advertising, which is currently being developed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The draft lists 11 groups of products, goods, and services that have a special impact on human health and the environment, requiring specific regulations for advertising and marketing to users.
Among the 11 groups are food; milk and nutritional products for young children; insecticidal chemicals and preparations; medical equipment; medical examination and treatment services; pesticides, veterinary drugs, animal feed, fertilizers, plant varieties; and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the draft allows for the possibility of adding other products, goods, and services as regulated by the Government.
Article 4 of the draft outlines requirements for cosmetic advertising content. Accordingly, advertisements must include mandatory information such as the name of the cosmetic product; its features and uses; and the name and address of the organization or individual responsible for placing the product on the market.
Cosmetic advertising “must not create the misunderstanding that the product is a medicine”; it is not permitted to use images, attire, names, letters, or articles from medical organizations, medical facilities, doctors, pharmacists, or healthcare workers in cosmetic advertising. Additionally, advertisements on radio and television must clearly state the product name; features and uses; and any warnings in accordance with international agreements.
The drafting agency stated that the regulation prohibiting the use of medical attire aims to avoid misleading the public into thinking the product is a medicine or associated with medical organizations, agencies, or staff.
For advertising milk and nutritional products for young children, the draft decree requires that the beginning of the advertisement must include the message: “Breast milk is the best food for the health and comprehensive development of young children.” The advertisement must also clearly state: “This product is a supplementary food and is to be consumed along with breast milk for children over 6 months of age.”
Advertisements must also comply with regulations on informational, educational, and communication materials regarding child nutrition and the use of nutritional products for young children as defined by law.
For food products, the advertisement must include the name of the food; the name and address of the organization or individual responsible for the product; and the name and address of the manufacturer. Additionally, the advertisement must clearly state whether the product is a “health protection food,” “supplementary food,” “medical nutritional food,” or a “nutritional product for specific groups.”
Food advertisements must also clearly state the product’s use, any health warnings (if applicable), and include the disclaimer: “This food is not a medicine and does not replace medicine for treatment.”
In addition to the above content, this draft Decree also includes multiple provisions regulating advertising on television; online platforms; and network-connected digital display screens. It also addresses outdoor advertising planning, representative offices of foreign advertising businesses in Vietnam, and state management responsibilities.
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