Web applications and mobile applications (e.g., for iPhones, iPads and Android devices) are subject to similar regulatory controls to those that apply to websites.

The same considerations should therefore be applied when delivering digital media via these applications (e.g., the intended audience should be clear and the content should be appropriate for the audience, etc.).

A key consideration is that apps are usually available to the general public worldwide. They would therefore not be suitable for carrying content that promotes prescription medicines, unless they are made inaccessible to the public.

Alternatively, access to the content might be delivered only to the US or NZ recipients after national approvals are obtained. Signatories must understand how the restrictions are to be applied before approving the distribution of the app.

As well as the app itself, the app store icon and description need to be considered as part of the review e.g. an AZ non promotional respiratory app for the general public had the Symbicort logo as it’s app store icon and was only prevented from going live when the Nom Sig checked the app store details as part of the ‘live app’ testing outside of the approval system.