AstraZeneca: overnight stay for short regional meeting ruled inappropriate (AUTH/1895/10/06)

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Key facts

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Case	AUTH/1895/10/06
Parties	Anonymous v AstraZeneca
Issue	Alleged inappropriate hospitality linked to SAF/BIPA-related meetings (UK and overseas)
Complaint received	09 October 2006
Case completed	19 January 2007
Applicable Codes	2003 and 2006
Breach	Clause 19.1 (Coventry meeting overnight stay not justified)
No breach	Clauses 2 and 9.1; and Clause 19.1 for other meetings reviewed
Meetings discussed	Coventry (12–13 Mar 2004); Lahore (16–20 Sep 2004); New Delhi (3–6 Feb 2005); Colombo (24–28 Jul 2005); Birmingham (7–8 Jul 2006); Dubai (1–6 Dec 2006 planned)
Sanctions	Undertaking received; Additional sanctions: Not stated
Appeal	No appeal
Publication	May 2007 Code of Practice Review

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Reviewed by Dr Anzal Qurbain (FFPM) — ABPI Final Signatory

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What happened

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An anonymous complainant alleged AstraZeneca provided inappropriate hospitality to UK-based South Asian psychiatrists via meetings organised by the South Asian Forum (SAF), including events in Pakistan (2004), Coventry (2004), India (2005) and Sri Lanka (2005).
The complainant suggested the meetings were more social/cultural “get togethers” than recognised academic meetings and raised concerns about repeat sponsorship and delegate selection.
The Authority asked AstraZeneca to respond in relation to Clauses 2, 9.1 and 19.1 of the Code.
The Panel reviewed the “whole situation” and assessed each meeting separately, noting AstraZeneca was a major sponsor and that 11 doctors attended three overseas meetings within 10 months (Lahore, New Delhi, Colombo).
Coventry (12–13 March 2004): limited documentation (no agenda, no delegate list, no costs). Total education stated as 4.5 hours across Friday evening/Saturday morning, with a corporate presentation on Friday. Overnight accommodation was provided for some delegates.
Lahore (16–20 Sept 2004), New Delhi (3–6 Feb 2005), Colombo (24–28 July 2005), Birmingham (7–8 July 2006), Dubai (1–6 Dec 2006 planned): Panel considered the scientific/educational content not unreasonable and, taking all circumstances into account, ruled sponsorship not unacceptable (no breach). The Panel did, however, express concerns about impressions created (eg, AstraZeneca staff joining a Taj Mahal outing during the Delhi meeting; high per-delegate costs for Dubai; musical presentations at some events though not arranged by AstraZeneca).

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Outcome

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Breach ruled: Coventry meeting (12–13 March 2004) – overnight stay not justified for a short (4.5 hour) regional meeting.
No breach ruled: Lahore (2004), New Delhi (2005), Colombo (2005), Birmingham (2006), and planned Dubai (2006) sponsorship arrangements.
No breach ruled for Clauses 2 and 9.1 in relation to the matters considered.

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