Policy on advertising and sponsorship in international editions

Advertising in international editions 

The BMJG welcomes advertising in its international editions and international issues of Clinical Evidence.

The possibility that advertising might be sold or refused must not be allowed to influence editorial decisions.

Editors must have full responsibility for advertising policy. 

Editors should be given the opportunity to approve or disapprove any doubtful advertisement. 

Readers must be able to distinguish readily between advertising and editorial pages. 

Juxtaposition of editorial and advertising material on the same product or subject should be avoided wherever possible. 

Advertising should not be sold on the basis that it will appear in the same issue as a particular article. 

Editors should consider for publication all criticisms of advertisements. 

Tobacco products should not be advertised. 

Editors should follow the guidelines listed in 1 (e) in case of advertisements for products and services of doubtful value—for example, homoeopathic remedies, or slimming clinics.

All advertisements should comply with all local regulations. Advertisements in international editions are not expected to comply with British regulations, but if editors are concerned that unwarranted claims are being made for products they should consider rejecting the advertisement or seeking guidance from the BMJ editor responsible for international editions.

Advertising pages should not comprise more than 40% of the publication. Exceptions may be made depending on local market conditions after consultation with the BMJ editor for international editions.

Every attempt should be made to have at least three advertisers for each issue. Exceptions may be made after consultation with the BMJ editor for international editions. Criteria for exceptions will include local market conditions and specialty.

Fewer than the agreed number of advertisers may be allowed (on a short term basis) after consultation with the BMJG  editor/publisher  for international editions, again depending on market conditions.

• Sponsorship of international editions

  The BMJG welcomes proposals for single sponsorship in its international editions. This includes foreign language editions of Clinical Evidence

  Single sponsorship can take two forms:

  • Complete editions of the BMJ or BMJ Journals.
  • Compilations of selected articles – BMJ On Series

  Copies may be in English or translated into a local language.

  Copies may be delivered by hand through pharmaceutical sales forces or the postal system, but distribution must be agreed with the BMJ editor for international editions.

  In the case of complete editions, no local editorial or advertorial is permitted.

  In the case of compilations, the selection process must be approved by the BMJ editor for international editions. If the selections are made by an editorial advisory board, the journal editor of the original journal may also be involved in the recruitment and appointment of board members. The BMJ editor for international editions must be satisfied that the selection of articles is independent of advertising.

  Advertising is permitted for single sponsored editions in two of these positions: inside front cover, inside back cover, or outside back cover.

  Acknowledgement of sponsorship will be confined to a line on the outside front or outside back cover: “Publication of this supplement is made possible by an education grant from-------“.The sponsor’s corporate logo may also appear on the back cover. A Brand logo will be permitted to appear with the sponsor’s corporate logo providing this complies with local market regulations.

  To avoid any misinterpretation that the supplement is published by the sponsoring company, the BMJG logo must also appear on the back cover with the statement “Published by the BMJ Group.

  Readers must be able to distinguish easily between advertising and editorial pages.

  Sponsorship should not be sold on the basis of any preferential treatment in the selection of articles.

  Only reputable pharmaceutical companies licensed to trade in the territory in question or other ethical sponsors can be considered for sponsorship.

  Tobacco products should not be advertised.

  Editors should follow the guidelines in 1 (e) before allowing as sponsors purveyors of products and services of doubtful value–for example, homoeopathic remedies or slimming clinics.

  All advertisements should comply with all local regulations. Advertisements in international editions are not expected to comply with British regulations, but if editors are concerned that unwarranted claims are being made for products, they should consider rejecting the advertisement or seeking guidance from the BMJ editor for international editions.

  Exceptions may be made after consultation with the BMJ editor for international editions