Advertising and Editorial Guidelines

I am interested in how editors approve new advertisements for inclusion in their journal. In Australasian Psychiatry, all new advertisements (generally from the pharmaceutical industry) are sent to me for approval. I read the ad, making sure the claims are plausible (eg, that drug A helps in the management of schizophrenia rather than cardiac failure) and that, particularly in the case of mental illness, the ad does not stigmatise patients. I go no further than this. Does this procedure match that of others? Do people send new ads to members of their Editorial Board, or others, for a second opinion and/or approval? This posting stems from the concerns of one of my readers that more effort and energy is invested in peer review and scrutiny of regular articles than ads that may be equally, if not more, influential.

Garry Walter
Editor, Australasian Psychiatry

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You have raised an interesting point. Generally, I do not see new ads at all. I've only seen a couple since being editor, one of which I did refuse to carry for a number of reasons, but mainly due to how they were referencing studies that supported the product.

However, as I am mainly dealing with dressing products, the claims are generally plausible. I also know that our readers would be quick to point out any anomalies.

Are there any WAME guidelines on this?

Deborah Glover

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With regard to the question regarding WAME guidelines on advertising and advertising review, the WAME Recommendations on Publication Ethics Policies for Medical Journals includes a section on advertising (http://www.bmjpg.com/wame/resources/ethics-resources/publication-ethics-policies-for-medical-journals#advertising) that addresses a number of important issues including ad review. Feedback is welcome. In addition, a previous listserve addressed this issue: http://www.bmjpg.com/wame/wame-listserve-discussions/editorial-review-of-advertising/.

Margaret A. Winker
Vice-President, WAME
Deputy Editor, JAMA

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