Marketing healthcare products in the GCC requires more than creative strength. Advertising for medicines, medical devices, health products and many cosmetic and supplement categories is regulated, and some categories require prior approval.
Core principles
Consistency with approved information: claims must match the registered indication and product information.
Evidence-based claims: every claim needs substantiation.
Audience control: prescription-only medicines are generally restricted from direct-to-consumer promotion.
Balanced information: benefits must be presented with relevant safety information.
Prior approval: some channels and categories need authority approval before publication.
Digital and social media: influencer content, websites and paid social ads fall under the same rules.
Common compliance risks
Health claims for supplements or cosmetics that imply medical treatment.
Off-label messaging in materials for healthcare professionals.
Social media content published without review.
Global campaigns used locally without adaptation.
A compliant workflow
Brief with approved product information and claim boundaries.
Build a reference pack for every claim.
Run medical, regulatory and legal review.
Obtain authority approval where required.
Archive approved versions with expiry dates.
How HERMS supports
HERMS combines regulatory and marketing expertise to develop and review promotional materials that meet GCC requirements, from product launches to digital campaigns.
Planning a campaign in the GCC? Ask HERMS for a promotional compliance review. Contact HERMS →