Promotion of Echinaforce by A.Vogel Limited
Published 9 June 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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SUMMARY REPORT FOR PUBLICATION
March 2021 Promotion of Echinaforce by A.Vogel Limited
A member of the public complained about social media advertising for Echinaforce by A.Vogel Ltd, which appeared on Linda Lusardi’s Instagram account on 01 November 2020. The complainant alleged that the company used a celebrity to promote the medicinal product on Instagram.
Regulation 289 of the Regulations states a person may not publish an advertisement relating to a medicinal product that refers to a recommendation by persons who because of their celebrity could encourage use of the medicinal product.
The MHRA upheld the complaint regarding the celebrity’s social media post recommending the use of this medicinal product. A.Vogel Ltd confirmed that they had removed the social media posts. The company also implemented corrective action to ensure that future advertising material meets the statutory and self-regulatory requirements for the UK.