Patients in the Czech Republic are advocating for changes to the regulation of medical aid advertising. Patients claim that they are missing out on essential information about artificial joints, implants, and intraocular lenses due to the ban on adverts for these products. Czech advertising laws stipulate that adverts for medical aids can only be aimed at healthcare professionals, leaving patients with limited access to information.

The founder of the Prosthetic Patients Association, Jaromír Lán, argues that the blocking of patient access to information is unacceptable. Lán acknowledges the need for regulation of advertising to ensure patients do not purchase unsuitable medical aids based on advertisements. However, he maintains that patients have the right to information and that relaxing advertising regulations would not harm patients.

The suitability of medical aids is a complex issue, with sophisticated medical aids requiring approval from insurance companies and assessment by multiple healthcare professionals. Orthopaedist and ČSSD MP Jiří Běhounek argues that the best medical aids are already in use and that patients should not be making decisions about which medical aid to use. He emphasizes the complexity of assessing medical aid suitability, with patients potentially lacking the qualifications to make informed decisions.

Patients needing prosthetic implants in the Czech Republic have to rely on their doctor’s judgment, which may not always be the best. Lán argues that doctors only assess medical suitability, ignoring technical specifications and the patient’s level of activity. Patients, therefore, have a limited ability to make informed choices about which medical aid to use.

The regulation of medical aid advertising in the Czech Republic is in line with Czech advertising laws. However, patients are advocating for changes to this regulation to ensure they have access to information about medical aids. The complexity of assessing medical aid suitability highlights the need for regulation to ensure patients are not lured into purchasing unsuitable medical aids based on advertisements. However, patients should still have the right to information about medical aids to make informed decisions in consultation with their healthcare providers.

Article by Prague Forum