Egypt Moves Against 'Sellers of Illusion'

Egypt is pursuing advertisements broadcast via television channels and the internet for unlicensed or unapproved drugs, through the Egyptian Drug Authority on one hand and the Supreme Council of Media on the other. The practice of promoting drugs that lack approval from the Egyptian Drug Authority or authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has spread across satellite channels and web pages, with some still under trial. The Supreme Council of Media and the Egyptian Drug Authority have begun imposing penalties on any violation of the decision banning the publication or broadcast of advertisements for drugs, pharmaceutical preparations, or medical devices through media outlets or social media platforms.