patrik kastnerCzech advertising law has recently been amended, bringing it into line with European Union (EU) law.

The Czech Regulation of Advertising Act was amended as of 26 January, 2006. The main objective of the amendment concerning pharmaceutical products is to harmonise the advertising law with the relevant EU directives. The amendment concerns various aspects of advertising, including advertising pharmaceuticals, medical devices, veterinary medicines, foodstuffs and tobacco products.

The amendment brought a change in the definition of healthcare professionals in the Czech Republic. According to the new wording of the advertising law, healthcare professionals are the only people authorised to prescribe or supply pharmaceuticals. Therefore, nurses have been excluded from the definition. However, there are still certain differences between the general public and nurses.