PowNed accuse the Healthcare Inspectorate of banning Ozempic documentary

The Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ) of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport is accused of banning a documentary made by broadcaster PowNed, which was scheduled to air this week on NPO 3. De Prikpen was about the popular weight loss medicine, Ozempic. The Inspectorate denied blocking the program.

If Powned decided to air the documentary, it claimed it would have to pay a fine of 150,000 euros. PowNed chair Dominique Weesie said the State wants to use the broadcaster as an example.

The Inspectorate admitted that discussions were held with PowNed regarding the documentary, but they denied the 150,000 euros penalty that PowNed claimed it would have to pay if it was televised.

A reason for the alleged ban is that it is not allowed to advertise medicines that are only available by prescription. In the documentary about the hype regarding the popular weight loss medicine Ozempic, the presenter, Filemon Wesselink, investigates and discusses the implications of the medicine with various experts.

Weesie was unaware of the rule but thought it was bizarre that “nearly every media company in the Netherlands” has reported on the medicine while it is apparently not allowed. “How can you as a journalist ever give attention to these types of medicines or the misunderstandings concerning them?” the PowNed boss wondered.

The chair offered to show the documentary to the Inspectorate before it aired so that eventual controversial points could be altered. “We usually do not do this before it is aired, but we did in this case because I do see the severity of the situation,” she said. Weesie also wanted to add a disclaimer to the documentary, but the Inspectorate did not waver in its commitment.

A spokesperson for the Inspectorate denies the reports. “There was no ban or penalty from the IGJ for PowNed if they showed the program.” The difference between journalism and advertising is “hard to judge” at times, said the spokesperson, and a discussion was had with the broadcaster regarding this. The IGJ claimed that they only told PowNed what was and was not allowed in the documentary and what the consequences could be during the meeting.

Weesie responded to IGJ, denying their side of the story. She said that the Inspectorate told them several times that broadcasting the documentary would result in a penalty, and specific fees were mentioned. “I am not just making that up. I think it is a very bad story that they are crawling back now,” said the PowNed chair.

The Inspectorate had “concerns” upon hearing the announcement about whether the program makers were aware of the Medicines Act. The ban on advertising applies to everybody: manufacturers, influencers, and journalists. The IGJ supervises these rules, which are meant to prevent unwanted influence on patients and consumers. A judgment regarding this is too early, said the IGJ spokesperson, as the inspectorate has not seen the documentary yet.

A replacement program was scheduled for Wednesday night, but PowNed still wants to find a path to televising the documentary. They are working with the NPO to see what options they have. “I think now we have to speak with the ministry of maybe even the minister to see if we can find a solution, and otherwise, we will have to make our own decision,” Weesie added.