Life Sciences
In March 2026, the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) issued a new notice that deserves close attention. The Czech regulator reiterates a key rule: advertising aimed at the general public must not promote medical devices that, under the manufacturer’s instructions, are intended solely for use b
GLP-1 in the Food Industry: Can We Expect “GLP-1 Friendly Foods” Also in the EU?
The rising popularity of GLP-1-based medications, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, is not only reshaping how people approach weight loss, but is also beginning to influence the food industry. While pharmaceutical companies are seeing a surge in demand for obesity treatments, food producers are f
Telemedicine and cross-border healthcare: CJEU clarifies the rules
In September 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a landmark judgment on the provision of healthcare through telemedicine within the EU. The decision clarifies the rules governing cross-border healthcare, particularly in relation to telemedicine, and sets out which laws app
SZPI in action: Most common violations and how to avoid them
The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce or SZPI) conducts thousands of inspections of food businesses every year. A look back at the previous year reveals notable trends in inspectors’ decision-making – particularly a sharp increase in the tota
Is your software a medical device?
In today’s healthcare landscape, software plays an increasingly vital role. What may come as a surprise to many is that under certain conditions, software can be classified as a medical device.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Does Not Mean ZERO ALCOHOL: Not All Non-Alcoholic Beverages Are Alcohol-Free
The Czech Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) has issued a statment regarding the labelling of non-alcoholic beverages with terms like “ZERO ALCOHOL,” “ALCOHOL-FREE,” or “0% ALCOHOL.” When can these labels be used, and is it possible to use such labels for all non-alcoholic beverages?
Compliance with the SmPC and the Presentation of Non-Registration Studies in Advertising
Informing healthcare professionals about the latest findings from studies related to medicinal products is crucial for ensuring effective and safe patient care. Access to the most recent scientific knowledge allows physicians to better understand the effects and potential side effects of medications
Advertising Medicinal Products and Medical Devices: Will the Amendment Bring Clarity or Confusion?
The Chamber of Deputies is currently discussing a long-prepared amendment to the Act on Regulation of Advertising (Chamber of Deputies Document 918, available here). The proposed amendment introduces several significant changes to the rules for advertising of medicinal products and medical devices.
Dual quality of food in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Current facts and trends
In recent years, the issue of dual quality of food has been a frequently discussed topic, capturing the attention of not only consumers and the media but also European institutions. While the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) has released current information on this issue based
Advertising of medicinal products: What does the new version of SÚKL’s guidelines bring?
After more than a decade, the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) has released an updated version of its guidelines UST-27 (full text available here: UST-27 version 4 - SÚKL). This new version, effective from 1 January 2025, clarifies the rules for advertising medicinal products, particularly sp
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