New application

Each advertisement and sales promotion permit is valid for one year from its date of issuance, which you may then renew annually.

Note: For application of sales promotion permit, a copy of Sales Promotion Mechanics is to be submitted as an attachment in the application using the following format:

1. Name of product(s) (maximum 5).
2. Sales promotion activity (multiple activities may be submitted) - To provide details, e.g. price discount and its discount quantum.
3. Sales promotion announcement or messages - To provide details on how the above activities will be communicated, e.g. 'Special discount'. 
4. Promotion venue - Venue(s) where the above activities will be carried out, e.g. retail pharmacy, shopping centre.

All medical advertisement and sales promotion applications will be evaluated upon submission for compliance to the requirements and appropriateness for advertising to the general public.

Amendment application

An amendment is an application for a minor alteration made to an approved advertisement or sales promotion.

Minor alterations may include change of text, inclusion or omission of some words, and change in the visuals along the same concept of the approved advertisement or addition of sales promotion activities such as new banded offers.

If the alterations proposed are major, applicants would need to apply for a new permit instead. Application fees for amendment applications are not refundable.

Amendment applications are not required for changes which do not affect the product claims. For example:

• Re-arranging the text and visual.
• Updating the company's contact details, such as address and telephone numbers.
• Updating retailer's logo.
• Updating the product's usual selling price. 

Renewal application

A renewal application is for an advertisement which has a permit nearing its expiry date. A renewed permit is valid for one year from its previous expiry date.

A system generated renewal notification and reminder will be sent to you via the selected mode of contact indicated in your permit, 60 days and 45 days respectively, before the expiry date of the permit.

For GIRO linked companies, the permit will be automatically renewed unless you opt out from the renewal by the given date stated in the renewal notification. You must use the online ‘Auto Renewal Preference’ function to opt out of auto-renewal.

Note: If the opt out is successful, an acknowledgement statement will be displayed after clicking the "Save" button.

For non-GIRO linked companies, the permit will not be renewed unless you submit a renewal application before its expiry date. The permit will expire and become invalid if it is not renewed before its expiry date.

What is not allowed

The proposed advertisement and sales promotion materials should not:

• Make any false or misleading claims or representations.
• Make unsubstantiated claims.
• Make comparative claims against another product or brand.
• Use scientific language and data which the public may not understand or be able to verify.
• Use exaggerated terms.
• Contain any language or image that causes fear, alarm, distress to the public of any disease or condition.
• Encourage inappropriate or excessive use.
• Suggest guaranteed results without side effects.
• Encourage incorrect use or self-treatment of serious diseases or discourage from seeking a medical professional's advice.
• Include any endorsement by healthcare professionals or public authority.
• Make use of names, logos and trade service marks of other institutions, companies without their permissions.
• Use the names or logos of HSA and any of our professional groups.
• Offer refunds, in full or partial amounts, to users of the product.

In addition, sales promotion activities directed at the general public should not:

• Offer a medicinal product free of charge with the purchase of a non-medicinal product.
• Offer prizes through lucky draws or contests with the purchase of the medicinal product with terms such as "win a prize" or "get a lucky draw" or equivalent.
• Use terms such as "free", "complimentary", "get a gift" or equivalent.
• Distribute samples of Chinese Proprietary Medicines, Traditional medicines, and Homoeopathic Medicines.

Prohibited diseases and conditions

You are not allowed to claim or indirectly suggest that the product will prevent, alleviate or cure any of the following diseases and conditions which are specified in the legislation:

1. Blindness
2. Cancer
3. Cataract
4. Drug addiction
5. Deafness
6. Diabetes
7. Epilepsy or fits
8. Hypertension
9. Insanity
10. Kidney diseases
11. Leprosy
12. Menstrual disorder
13. Paralysis
14. Tuberculosis
15. Sexual function
16. Infertility
17. Impotency
18. Frigidity
19. Conception and pregnancy

This prohibition does not apply to any advertisement or publication which is directed at:

• Practitioners.
• Pharmacists.
• Nurses and midwives.
• Persons undergoing training with a view to becoming practitioners, pharmacists, or nurses and midwives.

However, care must be taken to ensure that these advertisements are not distributed to the general public.