Legal Analysis of Dietary Supplements Advertising Regulation
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Abstract
Objective: 1) To study legal measures on the regulation of dietary supplement advertising (DSA) in Thailand and other countries, 2) to analyze legal problems on DSA regulation, and 3) to propose solutions for problems of the regulation. Methods: This study was documentary research by collecting information from the provisions of laws, textbooks, articles, academic papers, research articles, theses, and internet sources in both Thai and English. Results: DSA is regulated under the Food Act B.E. 2522. Legal measures in controlling DSA include the provisions that prohibit false or deceptive advertisement of food on its usefulness, quality or indication, and those with the intention to advertise food on its usefulness, quality, or indication must submit the sound, images, moving pictures or content to be advertised to the grantor for prior consideration and permission. Advertisement could be done after such permission. The problems on such legal measures are unclear interpretations of section 40 of the Food Act B.E. 2522, which prohibits false or deceptive food advertising of usefulness, quality, or indications, exaggerated advertising, late litigation problems caused by the lack of self-regulated non-government agencies to examine advertisement content, and lenient legal penalties. Solution for the problems was the amendment of the Act on DSA. Conclusion: Self-regulated non-government agencies should be established to review advertising content before filing the application to the regulator and to participate in prosecution in the cases of wrongdoings. Twofold increase of penalty for repetitive violations is suggested in order to better protect the consumers on health products.
Article Details
ผลการวิจัยและความคิดเห็นที่ปรากฏในบทความถือเป็นความคิดเห็นและอยู่ในความรับผิดชอบของผู้นิพนธ์ มิใช่ความเห็นหรือความรับผิดชอบของกองบรรณาธิการ หรือคณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ ทั้งนี้ไม่รวมความผิดพลาดอันเกิดจากการพิมพ์ บทความที่ได้รับการเผยแพร่โดยวารสารเภสัชกรรมไทยถือเป็นสิทธิ์ของวารสารฯ
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