Pharmacies pay up to $4,000 to avoid advertising on mobile devices

Pharmacies in Western Australia will be able to pay up $4.7 million to stop ads on mobile phones.

The State Government’s advertising watchdog says mobile phone ads have become a “threat to our health and safety”.

The move comes after a spate of complaints from patients and health care professionals about the ads, which appear on mobile phone screens.

A spokesperson for the advertising watchdog said the ads were a “problem for people in the public system and for businesses”.

“It is a challenge to ensure the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and the community,” she said.

“The health and social care system is the safest in the country and is working with our advertising industry to address this issue.”

The Health Promotion Authority said it was working to find ways to address the problem.

“We are working with industry partners to develop solutions and provide the best possible experience for consumers and patients to ensure patients and their families can access the best care available,” the spokesperson said.

Topics:health,health-policy,healthcare-facilities,internet-technology,technology,internet advertising,advertising,barnaby-3750,nsw