Spain allows 274 more drugs to be advertised

The number of drugs which can be promoted via advertising in Spain has been increased, following pressure from the European Commission to allow non-reimbursed (over-the-counter) medicines to be exempted from general marketing restrictions by the national government. According to IMS Health data, only 5% of the Spanish drug market is currently open to advertising.

The marketing regulations imposed by the Spanish government essentially prohibit all reimbursed drugs from being advertised, whilst those products categorized as Especialidades Famaceuticas Publicitarias can be promoted. In 2007, the value of this sector grew 3.6%, reaching 618.3 million euros ($916.9 million) in value and 127.8 million units. The total Spanish pharmaceutical market is estimated to be worth about 14.0 billion euros.

Deregulation could increase OTC market value 5% in 2008