Tightening Regulations on Supplement Info Could Mean Big Changes for Business Websites, Say Thai Lawyers

The tension between the need to market health products, and the need to accurately represent their benefits is felt worldwide. The Thai FDA recently shut down 155 websites that were found to be geared towards marketing rather than accuracy, and indicated that more closures could be imminent. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 07, 2010 - Bangkok, Thailand - Thai business law experts at BSA Law are urging all businesses whose activities come under FDA regulations to have their marketing materials reviewed by a Thailand corporate legal service, after the FDA shut down 155 websites recently and indicated that further closures were imminent.

The websites that were closed included businesses selling:
• Stem cell treatments
• Weight loss pills
• Birth control pills
• Glutathione
• Misoprostol, an ulcer treatment

Claims that herbal remedies can cure conditions such as cancer, bone diseases, the effects of strokes, kidney and joint diseases are of concern to the Foundation for Consumers. Ms Saree Ongsomwang said that "We're facing a crisis of misleading commercials for dietary supplements, while Apichart Hoomchamlong, an FDA pharmacist, said that "Health agencies need at least one and a half months to close down these websites providing unreliable information.''

Apisakde Kongkangwanchoke, senior Thai business lawyer with BSA Law, says that this push is unlikely to be isolated.

"The FDA is well aware of how easy it is to put up a website, and of the volume of cases that they have to deal with. Businesses shouldn't assume that they can hide amongst the crowd, however; our Thai law firm believes that the FDA will seek to curtail the problem by making an example of a selection of businesses that contravene regulations," Mr. Kongkangwanchoke said.

The FDA has not shied away from making decisions that may be considered harmful to business in the past. They recently ordered a mass recall of diluted UHT milk, and have slowly been introducing tighter controls on opiate derivatives, anxiety medications, and cough medicines among other substances.

About BSA Law:

For nearly 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. BSA Law seeks to provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.

For more information please contact:

Jim Byrne
Business Advisor, BSA Law.
Email: jim ( @ ) bsalaw dot co dot th

http://www.bsalaw.co.th

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