STRICT CONTROL ON FALSE ADVERTISEMENTS PLANNED

This problem is common among community radio stations and subscription television stations.

“All authorities must respond to the National Health Assembly’s resolution,” Srinuan Korakotchakorn, deputy secretary-general of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said.

 

She was at the National Health Assembly’s meeting, which kicked off yesterday at the UN Conference Centre and will wrap up tomorrow.

She said the participants had agreed that all stakeholders needed to work together to prevent illegal advertising and strict law enforcement is needed to stop the production and distribution of products that could be detrimental to consumers’ health. 

 

“Laws must also be updated. Fines prescribed for offenders by the 1979 Food Act and the 1967 Drug Act are relatively low when compared to the value of today’s market,” Srinuan said.

 

For instance, anyone advertising a food product without prior approval needs to pay just Bt5,000 in fines, while companies or individuals posting ads that exaggerate the benefits of a product face up to three years in prison and/or a maximum fine of Bt30,000. 

 

FDA and the National Telecom-munications and Broadcasting Commission are the key government agencies expected to play a role in the crackdown. “But local administrative bodies should also help monitor local media outlets. Media must be ethical when broadcasting advertisements and the public should be educated so they can stay away from dangerous products,” Srinuan said. 

 

She added that problematic advertisements included Thai traditional medication, food products and so-called herbal cosmetics. “The FDA receives about 100 complaints every month,” she disclosed.

 

Srinuan said the FDA was currently monitoring about 1,000 products advertised via subscription TV stations and community radio stations each month. “Most of them are problematic,” she said.

The National Health Assembly has received information that the advertising value of food was worth Bt17 billion per annum, while the value of drugs was worth Bt2.5 billion.

 

In 2010, subscription TV stations earned between Bt2 billion and Bt3 billion from advertising.