AUTH/2233/5/09: Anonymous GP v Leo Pharma — meeting venue and hospitality (No breach) | PMCPA Case

📊

Key facts

⌄

Case number	AUTH/2233/5/09
Parties	Anonymous General Practitioner v Leo
Issue	Meeting arrangements (venue appropriateness, “5 star” rating, exhibition/visitor centre, distance, hospitality)
Meeting title	“Early Recognition of Melanoma & Optimal Treatment of Psoriasis”
Audience	GPs
Agenda/timing	6.30pm registration and dinner; 7pm start; two 30-minute presentations with discussion/questions; 15-minute coffee break; finish 8.45pm
Attendance	120 delegates (fully subscribed)
Hospitality	Buffet; £18 per head stated; food and drinks £2,700 total (£22.50 per head)
Total meeting cost	£5,619.25
Venue characteristics	Visitor/learning centre focused on health, science and technology; 5-star visitor rating; closed to public; exhibits not accessible to delegates
Clauses considered	2, 9.1 and 19.1
Decision	No breach
Complaint received	26 May 2009
Case completed	9 July 2009
Applicable Code year	2008
Appeal	No appeal

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

🤖

Got a question about this case?

Ask one of our 13 specialist ABPI advisors — instant answers, 24/7.

Ask AskAnzal AI

🎬 Expert Video Walkthrough

🎬

Video walkthrough — coming for members

Subscribe now and get expert video analysis for every case as we publish them.

Subscribe — from £299/yr

📋

⌄

An anonymous GP complained that Leo Pharma invited him to a GP meeting at a venue with a “5 star” rating and an exhibition/visitor centre element, which he believed breached the Code.
The complainant also noted the venue was 65 miles from his practice.
The meeting was titled “Early Recognition of Melanoma & Optimal Treatment of Psoriasis” and was aimed at GPs.
Agenda (per invitation): registration and dinner from 6.30pm; educational programme from 7pm with two half-hour presentations, each followed by discussion/questions; 15-minute coffee break; finish at 8.45pm.
Attendance was stated to be fully subscribed at 120 delegates.
Hospitality: buffet dinner stated at £18 per head; total food and drinks cost for 120 GPs was £2,700 (£22.50 per head). Total meeting cost was £5,619.25.
Venue: a visitor and learning centre focused on health, science and technology (with science mall, cinema, theatres and planetarium) and awarded a 5-star visitor rating; it was closed to the public during the meeting and exhibits were not accessible to delegates.
The invitation/reminder did not refer to the venue’s attractions; subsistence was served during registration with limited time (30 minutes) before the meeting started.

⚖️

⌄

No breach of the Code was found.
The Panel ruled no breach of Clauses 19.1 and 9.1 and consequently no breach of Clause 2.
No appeal.

🔒

Members get the complete breakdown — Clauses, Sanction, Signatory Lens, Audit checklist, and 3 Key Questions.

Best value

£249/year

Annual — save £99

£29/mo

Monthly

Join Now — Instant Access