Ukraine. Ban on the Sale of Medicines and Medical Equipment via TV Shopping

On 5 June 2014 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On advertising” (in respect of the unification with the European Convention on Transfrontier Television)” (the “Law”).

This Law makes the following amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On advertising”:

• Introduces the definition of “TV shopping”;
• Specifies the requirements to advertising and sponsorship of TV and radio programs that make reference to the names of medicines, medical equipment, preventive techniques and techniques for diagnostics, cure and rehabilitation;
• Specifies that producers and sellers of medicines, medical equipment, preventive techniques, techniques for diagnostics, cure and rehabilitation can sponsor TV and radio programs by distributing the advertising information except for the information on Rx medicines, medical equipment, preventive techniques, techniques for diagnostics, cure and rehabilitation, the application of which requires special knowledge;
• Prohibits the sale of medicines, medical equipment, preventive techniques, measures of diagnostics, cure and rehabilitation the application of which requires specific knowledge and training through TV shopping.

The Law will become effective in 3 months from its publication. As of the date of the release of this Bulletin the Law was not signed by the President of Ukraine.
Source: KPMG-Ukraine