In considering an application for approval to include in an advertisement a reference to a disease, condition, ailment or defect specified in Part 2 of Appendix 6, the Secretary may consult the TGACC. In making a recommendation to the Secretary, the TGACC must take into account:

1. Consumers’, or certain groups of consumers’, vulnerability when faced with the disease, condition, ailment or defect;

2. Whether the reference would be likely to result in consumers not seeking timely professional advice where appropriate (such as where timely professional advice is important to prevent negative health consequences or irrevocable deterioration or progression of disease);

3. Whether the reference would be likely (alone or through repetition or together with other references) to have a negative impact on public health (or to have an effect on persons other than those to whom the advertisement is directed); and

4. Such other aspects of the public interest as may appear to be appropriate.

5. The World Health Organization notes that responsible self-medication can:

• Help prevent and treat symptoms and ailments that do not require medical consultation;
• Reduce the increasing pressure on medical services for the relief of minor ailments, especially when financial and human resources are limited;
• Increase the availability of health care to populations living in rural or remote areas where access to medical advice may be difficult; and
• Enable patients to control their own chronic conditions.

Additional Note: If this were to apply to products that require prescribing following initial diagnosis, the Code would apply to the advertising of such products.