약사법상 의약품 광고 규제에 대한 고찰 – 감염병 예방용 의약품 광고를 중심으로 –

The Pharmaceutical Affairs Act regulates the content and method of drug advertisement, and prohibits advertising on drugs that are not approved, advertising that misleads consumers, advertising that offers prizes, advertising that disparages or raises concerns about other products, advertising that uses testimonials of users, advertising that encourages misuse or abuse of drugs, and advertising that denies side effects. In principle, public advertisements for prescription drugs are not allowed, but if the advertisement is aimed at medical and pharmacological experts, it is allowed. Furthermore, public advertisements on drugs for preventing infectious diseases are allowed even though they are prescription drugs. Canada, like Korea, allows public advertisement of drugs for preventing infectious diseases, which is called vaccines, including product names, but Europe is conducting campaigns that generally do not mention specific product names for vaccines, and is regulating the advertisements such as restricting advertisements that the administration of the vaccine improves life. Australia, in principle, requires government approval to advertise vaccines to the general public in medical institutions, and the products names can not be mentioned in the advertisement. Considering the growing public awareness of vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases in Korea, the point that it is possible to actively inform the risk of infectious diseases and the need for vaccination without mentioning specific product names through campaigns, and the social cost of allowing advertisements for prescription drugs, it is suggested to discuss whether the current regulations on the scope and method of advertising drugs for preventing infectious diseases are still most effective to prevent infectious diseases and improve public health.