Reklama suplementow diety a reklama leków – podobienstwa i roznice (Advertising of dietary supplements and advertising of drugs – similarieties and differences)

Dietary supplements, medical devices and other parapharmaceutical products, due to the form of their distribution, places of sale and the method of their promotion, may be perceived by patients as drugs. The article will define the basic concepts and selected scientific issues related to the promotion of dietary supplements and drugs. The differences between the definitions of individual, important concepts related to the promotion of dietary supplements and drugs in the literature and legal regulations will also be illustrated. The aim of the article will be to identify the differences and similarities in the legal possibilities of promoting drugs and dietary supplements, which may affect the perception of drugs and dietary supplements by consumers. The similarities and differences will be determined on the basis of an analysis of legal regulations and a review of the literature on the promotion of drugs and dietary supplements. Differences and similarities in the context of promotion and perception of drugs and dietary supplements may be important in a social context. The effects of this promotion may have an impact on the rational management of the household budget as well as on the health and even life of people. However, the literature shows that the method of their promotion, division into doses, packaging and sale does not make it easier for the patient to verify what type of product he is buying – whether it is a medicine, dietary supplement, medical device, or perhaps another parapharmaceutical. Therefore, these products can often be confused.