PAAB Code : Description of Code

1.2 Description of the Code

The Code is the standard by which PAAB reviews health product advertising communication for preclearance.

The Code has been created and approved by a multi-stakeholder board to promote communications that enable industry to present products in a manner that is truthful, consistent with the TMA, evidence-based and offers a balanced view of benefits and risks.

The standards within the Code are designed to promote an ethical approach to providing factual health product information; an approach that results in an opportunity to make optimum health choices. The purpose of the Code is to foster full, fair and balanced disclosure.

The Code can be viewed in two formats. Visit How to Navigate the Code on this Site for more information.

View the Code in Sequential Order
View the Code organized by Key Principles

Preclearance Registration & Fees

Description of the Code

Administrative Guidelines

1.2.1 Materials Regulated as Advertising

Materials regulated as advertising and subject to preclearance review by PAAB are classified based on the following guideline supplied by Health Canada:

“Advertisement includes any representation by any means whatever for the purpose of promoting directly or indirectly the sale or disposal any food, drug, cosmetic or device.”

For further clarification on how Health Canada uses contextual factors to help determine whether a given message is advertising, see the below links to information supplied by Health Canada:

Ask PAAB

Description of the Code

Administrative Guidelines

1.2.2 How to Navigate the Code on this Site

Choosing the right method of viewing the Code for your purpose:

Sequential Order

This format offers users an overall understanding of PAAB, its relationship to Health Canada, the goals of preclearance, and the Code standards.

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

CODE STANDARDS

Key Principles

This format has been created to simplify the preclearance review process. In this format, the Code standards are broken down and separated into sections that reflect the corresponding principle that inspires a particular requirement. The principles highlight the fundamentals of ethical health product communications to offer full, fair and balanced disclosure. PAAB employs these principles in its review for preclearance. This format can assist in understanding of the nature of the review process and subsequent decisions. During the submission process, users are encouraged to consider their communications with these key principles in mind.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information on the Code standards can be accessed via Supplementary Guidance and Advisory documents.

The Q&A resource called Ask PAAB is an opportunity to submit a question directly to PAAB, or view previous or similar enquires and responses on a related topic. It is can be accessed here or from the main menu.

SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCES

Description of the Code

Administrative Guidelines