Does New Zealand allow pharmaceutical advertisements directed towards consumers?

Question

I know that USA allows pharamaceutical advertisemtents, but what about New Zealand? I've heard they considered banning it, but I'm not sure about now, as of today.

Answer 1

Yes we have ads for over the counter drugs & ones you have to go to your doctor for (those ones say ask your doctor about Xenical or whatever - generally it's weight loss medication for prescription drugs advertised, I'm not sure you are allowed to advertise any other kind of prescription one, with the exception of Viagra).  These ads are generally on TV or magazines.  Desperate Housewives is sponsored here by Panadol painkillers where when the programme starts it says Desperate Housewives is brought to you by Panadol & there are Panadol ads on during the ad breaks.

Answer 2

I'm an American living in NZ and I have to say that I see very, very few ads for perscription drugs on TV.  If there are some, it's nothing like in the US where every other ad is for anxiety or depression or some other drug that your doctor should be telling you about, not that you should be asking your doctor for.  The ads here are for over the counter meds like Panadol (Tylenol) or Nurofen (Ibuprofen). Keep in mind that the healthcare industry in NZ is heavily regulated so there aren't the same kinds of profits to be made.