Islamabad: Following a surge in unregulated promotions of therapeutic products across mainstream and digital media platforms, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has warned people not to buy medicines through social media and announced stern action against pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies advertising medicines without prior approval.
Cases involving unlicensed manufacturing units producing medicines illegally and marketing them through social media will be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other law enforcement agencies for legal action, officials said on Tuesday.
In a fresh official notification, DRAP reminded industry associations that the Therapeutic Goods (Advertisement) Rules, 2025 are now in force and require all manufacturers and importers to obtain clearance from the DRAP Advertisement Board before advertising any registered or enlisted therapeutic product, including advertisements that merely announce product availability.
Any advertisement published without prior approval, the regulator said, will be treated as a violation of the law and a cognisable offence.
The move follows growing concern within the regulator over the widespread promotion of allopathic and nutraceutical products on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, television and roadside billboards, where sweeping claims of complete cures and guaranteed treatment are being made for serious medical conditions, including sexual dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension, infertility, obesity and mental health disorders.
A senior DRAP official said the authority had taken serious notice of misleading and irresponsible advertising of medicines and supplements, much of it taking place outside the regulatory framework.
The official said medicines were being marketed as consumer products, encouraging self-medication and discouraging patients from seeking proper medical advice.
According to the official, the unregulated promotion of drugs for erectile dysfunction, antidepressants being marketed for premature ejaculation, weight loss products and so called nutraceutical remedies is particularly worrying, as these medicines can have significant side effects, interact with other drugs and, in some cases, worsen underlying health conditions when used without a healthcare provider’s supervision.
DRAP has also taken notice of reports that some unlicensed pharmaceutical units and informal manufacturers are directly marketing their products to consumers through social media pages, call centres and courier services, despite not being authorised to manufacture medicines.
Such products, officials warned, may be substandard or unsafe and could pose serious hazards to public health, prompting the authority to refer such cases to the FIA and relevant law enforcement agencies.
Health officials have advised the public not to use medicines based on social media advertisements, online testimonials or roadside promotions, warning that self-medication can lead to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, adverse drug reactions and, in severe cases, life threatening complications.
Under the Therapeutic Goods (Advertisement) Rules, 2025, even advertisements that only claim product availability fall within the regulatory framework and require prior approval from DRAP’s Advertisement Board.
Industry bodies have been directed to convey these requirements to their members and ensure strict compliance, with DRAP warning that violations will invite legal action.
DRAP has said it will give priority consideration to applications submitted for advertisement approval under the prescribed procedure but made it clear that continued non compliance will be dealt with under the law.
Ends