AUTH/2225/4/09: Anonymous doctor v Astellas — summer school venue and hospitality (no breach) | PMCPA Case

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Key facts

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Case number	AUTH/2225/4/09
Parties	Anonymous doctor v Astellas Pharma Ltd
Issue	Arrangements for a meeting (alleged lavish/deluxe venue; alleged aggressive marketing association)
Complaint received	21 April 2009
Case completed	22 May 2009
Applicable Code year	2008
Clauses considered	2, 9.1, 19.1
Decision	No breach of the Code
Appeal	No appeal
Meeting characteristics (as described)	Annual transplantation Summer Workshop/Summer School; unpaid HCP faculty; no promotional stands/materials; corporate (not product) signage
Venue descriptors (Panel)	“Country house hotel”; no star rating; restaurant hosted “gourmet meals” but no Michelin stars or similar; impression of a good quality hotel
Costs cited (Panel)	Day delegate rate £348.98 (meals + coffee/soft drinks); approx £1,762 per delegate for three days (including transfers, excluding agency fees)
Education time cited (Panel)	17.5 hours over three days

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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, non-contactable doctor complained about arrangements for Astellas’ annual transplantation “Summer Workshop/Summer School”.
The complainant alleged the meeting had become associated with lavish venues and that invitees were required to attend all sessions as a condition of accepting the invitation.
The 2009 venue (Hampshire) was described by the complainant as “lavish and deluxe”, with a “gourmet restaurant” and “extensive spa”.
The complainant also alleged Astellas had an “aggressive marketing style”, particularly with Prograf’s patent expiry and a need to move doctors to Advagraf.
The Authority asked Astellas to respond regarding Clauses 2 and 9.1 in addition to Clause 19.1.
Astellas said the event was a non-promotional educational meeting, wholly sponsored by Astellas, with an unpaid HCP faculty responsible for agenda and final delegate selection; Astellas attended faculty meetings as observers to ensure Code compliance and no commercially-interesting topics.
Astellas stated there were no promotional stands/materials/brand reminders; only corporate (not product) signage.
Delegates registered interest before the venue was agreed; the venue was communicated later via invitation.
Costs cited: day delegate rate (meals + coffee/soft drinks) £348.98 per person; total cost approx £1,762 per delegate (including transfers, excluding agency fees) for three days (Panel summary). Astellas also described subsistence costs and stated no entertainment was organised.
Education time cited by the Panel: 17.5 hours over three days (Astellas stated at least 18 hours excluding breaks).

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Outcome

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No breach of the ABPI Code of Practice (Applicable Code year: 2008).
No breach of Clause 19.1 (meeting venue/hospitality).
No breach of Clause 9.1 (high standards).
No breach of Clause 2 (bringing discredit to the industry).
No appeal.

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AUTH/2225/4/09: Anonymous doctor v Astellas — summer school venue and hospitality (no breach)

Key facts

What happened

Outcome

Clauses

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