According to WHO criteria and OPPI(Organisation of Pharmaceutical Procedures of India) code of Pharmaceutical practices 2012, the printed drug promotional literature (DPL) must contain:

• Name of the drug: Brand name should be available with the active ingredient (generic name). The ratio of size of brand name to generic name should not be more than 3:1
• Indications: Approved therapeutic indications must be present on the DPL
• Dosage: Content of active ingredients per dosage form and whole regiment should be written on the DPL
• Precautions and warnings
• Contraindications
• Adverse effects: All serious adverse effects and common non serious adverse effects should be mentioned on the DPL
• Major interactions
• Price: Price of the drug as well as whole regimen should be present on DPL
• Information of manufacturer: The name and address of the pharmaceutical company or its agent responsible for marketing the product must be present on DPL
• Reference to scientific literature: Appropriate references should be available regarding the claims made by the DPL

Q. Which of the following is not necessary to be mentioned on drug advertisement literature? AIIMS Nov 2016)

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A) Expiry date of the drug
B) References of the information
C) Rare but life threatening adverse effects
D) Common but insignificant adverse effects

Ans. A, Expiry date of the drug