UAE passes draft law banning personal advertisements for medical professionals – News

It also sets out 15 ethical requirements and obligations that define the responsibilities of health professionals to their patients

Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) have approved a draft law that would prohibit medical professionals in the country (except doctors and pharmacists) from publishing any personal advertising material or promoting themselves directly or indirectly on any media platform.

The new law, unanimously adopted by members at a recent meeting, aims to regulate the practice of the hygiene industry, protect society from unlawful practices, and set the necessary standards for practicing the hygiene industry in order to achieve optimal health and services for the UAE community.

The draft law also sets out 15 ethical requirements and obligations that clarify the responsibilities of health professionals towards their patients, emphasizing their need to refrain from selling any medicines, or promoting certain medicines or pharmaceutical products.

These ethical requirements include working within the licensure granted to the practitioner and the license of the health agency in which they work, being aware of federal and local legislation relevant to the practice of the health professions, complying with its regulations, and following up with all modifications to it.

Other requirements include the accurate and honest performance of duties as required by the health profession and in accordance with accepted scientific and technical principles in a manner that guarantees the necessary care of patients. They must not exploit the needs of their patients for illegitimate gain for themselves or others, and must uphold the dignity and honor of their profession. They must also communicate and collaborate with other workers in their field of expertise.

Practicing physicians are also required by law to comply with the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct, to accurately record patient information, to inform the attending physician of information pertaining to the patient within their purview, to maintain the tools he or she uses or to entrust them. equipment, must report any failures.

Healthcare professionals must also treat all patients with respect and without discrimination.

A draft federal law governing the practice of some health professions by non-physicians and pharmacists warns health professionals of four situations that could put them at risk of revoking the licenses authorizing them to practice.

These include failure to comply with any license condition, issuance of a final disciplinary decision to revoke a license, issuance of a final judgment prohibiting a healthcare professional from practicing, and eventual non-practicing of a healthcare professional for a specified period of time under the Act’s enforcement regulations.