Contains Nonbinding Recommendations
the pacing of the audio presentation of the major statement must enable the ad to satisfy Standard
2 (21 CFR 202.1(e)(1)(ii)(B). See Q6.
Q8. How can firms comply with Standard 4?
Standard 4 requires that for the text portion of the major statement in advertisements in television
format, the size and style of font, the contrast with the background, and the placement on the
screen allow the information to be read easily (21 CFR 202.1(e)(1)(ii)(D)). Note that Standard 4
applies to the presentation of the major statement and not to other textual information in the
advertisement.
To comply with this standard, firms are required to ensure that the presentation of the text of the
major statement is easily readable. Firms are not required to use particular font colors, sizes,
placement, or backgrounds but instead are required to ensure that these aspects of text in
combination result in an easily readable presentation of the major statement. More than one
combination may allow for the textual information to be read easily. For example, increasing the
amount of contrast between the font and the background may improve readability. And, even at
a smaller size, some styles of font are more easily read compared to others.
Q9. How can firms comply with Standard 5?
Standard 5 requires that during the presentation of the major statement, the advertisement does
not include audio or visual elements, alone or in combination, that are likely to interfere with
comprehension of the major statement (21 CFR 202.1(e)(1)(ii)(E)). Standard 5 applies only to
the portion of the advertisement during which the major statement is presented.
To comply with this requirement, firms must ensure that their DTC TV/radio ads do not include
audio or visual elements (music, sounds, text, images, etc.) during the presentation of the major
statement that, alone or in combination, are likely to interfere with comprehension of the major
statement.
Not all audio or visual elements are likely to interfere with comprehension of the major
statement. In fact, by requiring dual modality—the concurrent use of both text (a visual element)
and audio to present the major statement in advertisements in TV format—the CCN Final Rule
acknowledges that multiple elements can actually be used to reinforce risk information.
This standard does not categorically prohibit use of other creative elements during the major
statement. It also does not prohibit narrower categories of elements (e.g., it does not bar all
music, sound effects, drawings). The standard does not even categorically prohibit any subtypes
of elements (e.g., it does not bar upbeat music or amusing drawings).
Firms should examine the facts and circumstances presented by a specific advertisement to
ensure that the advertisement complies with this standard.