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ORAL PRESENTATION / SÖZLÜ SUNUM

Evaluation of the Promotion and Sale of Veterinary Medicinal Products
via the Internet and Social Media in Terms of Veterinary Legislation

Pınar Ece YORULMAZ¹ * Farah Gönül AYDIN
,
2

¹Ankara University Veterinary Faculty, Department of Veterinary History and Deontology, TÜRKİYE
2 Ankara University Veterinary Faculty, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and

Toxicology, TÜRKİYE

*Correspound Author: peyorulmaz@gmail.com

In recent years, with the increasing number of users, social media has become one of
the most important means of communication. The use of internet and social media platforms
by veterinarians not only facilitates communication with animal owners and colleagues but
also provides various conveniences in professional life, while at the same time bringing
certain ethical problems. The promotion and sale of veterinary medicinal products by clinical
veterinarians through online platforms and social media has become a significant topic of
debate. Primarily, the promotion and sale of medicines must be based on transparent,
scientific, and reliable information in terms of public health and animal welfare. According
to Law No. 5996, the sale and promotion of veterinary medicinal products can only be carried
out through pharmacies, veterinary practices, clinics, polyclinics, and animal hospitals; thus,
it is not legally permissible for clinical veterinarians to directly advertise or sell medicines via
social media. However, the commercializing tendencies of social media platforms may place
veterinarians in a dilemma between professional ethics and economic concerns. This
situation has the potential to undermine professional credibility, create unfair competition,
lead to misuse of medicines, and endanger public health. Furthermore, in line with veterinary
legislation and professional ethical principles, it is emphasized that treatment and drug
selection should be based solely on scientific grounds. Therefore, it is of great importance for
clinical veterinarians to observe their legal and ethical responsibilities when using digital and
social media platforms, to refrain from advertising and selling medicines, and to prevent
commercial interests from prevailing over patient health. This study evaluates the promotion
and sale of veterinary medicinal products in online environments from legal and ethical
perspectives, highlighting the necessity of strengthening the regulatory framework and
enhancing professional awareness.
Keywords: Drug sales; drug promotion; media; professional ethics; veterinary medicinal
products.

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