Promoting medicines to the public on social media

The law on advertising human medicines applies to anyone who advertises a medicine in Ireland, including on social media. To help explain these requirements, we have published a new webpage setting out clear information on the laws that apply to advertising human medicines to the public. 

Advertising a medicine means any information or activity designed to promote the prescription, supply, sale or consumption of a medicine. If something meets this definition, it is medicines advertising and must comply with the law. 

This includes advertising through traditional media (e.g. print, broadcast, outdoor, etc.) and online media (e.g. websites, social media, etc.). It can include websites and social media posts that advertise medicines. It also includes medicines advertising by businesses that offer services involving a medicine, for example, services involving prescription-only medicines containing:  

• botulinum toxin
• semaglutide  
•  tirzepatide  

The information outlines some of the legal rules relating to advertising: 

• Unauthorised or unregistered medicines 
• Prescription-only medicines 
• Non‑prescription medicines 

Visit our webpage to find out more about advertising or promoting medicines to the public.