Janssen: Sponsorship of ISU urology meeting in Belfast raised hospitality concerns (AUTH/2556/11/12)

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Key facts

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Case number	AUTH/2556/11/12
Complainant	Anonymous group of NHS health professionals (non-contactable)
Company	Janssen
Issue	Sponsorship/exhibiting at ISU annual meeting at a 5-star venue with golf and a gala dinner; alleged excessive hospitality
Meeting	Irish Society of Urology (ISU) annual meeting, Belfast (Northern Ireland), September 2012
Programme features cited	Luxurious venue emphasis; welcome message stressing social aspect; golf and gala dinner listed after scientific sessions
Scientific content	1.5 days education; programme stated 9 CPD credits
Key Janssen fact	Purchased a gala dinner ticket (unused); no HCP sponsorship for attendance costs
Applicable Code year	2012
Complaint received	26 November 2012 (site summary) / 4 December 2012 (case report compilation note)
Completed	07 February 2013
Appeal	No appeal
Breach clauses	Clause 9.1; Clause 19.1
No breach clauses	Clause 2 (and no breach of Clause 19.1 in relation to venue acceptability point)
Sanction	Undertaking received

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

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An anonymous, non-contactable group describing themselves as NHS health professionals complained about multiple companies’ support of the Irish Society of Urology (ISU) annual meeting held in Belfast (Northern Ireland) in September 2012.
The meeting programme highlighted a luxurious 5-star venue (Culloden Estate and Spa) with prominent photos and a welcome message emphasising the “social aspect” and a gala dinner at Stormont.
The programme showed scientific sessions over 1.5 days (9 CPD credits) and also listed golf and a gala dinner after the scientific programme ended.
Janssen’s Irish office approved support under the Irish code (IPHA) and did not refer the meeting to the UK office for ABPI Code consideration, despite the meeting being in Northern Ireland (UK).
Janssen did not sponsor any health professionals’ attendance (no accommodation, subsistence or registration fees paid).
Janssen later confirmed it purchased a ticket for the gala dinner (not used). The Panel considered purchase showed intent to attend and was inappropriate involvement in a social event.
The Panel also criticised incomplete disclosure: the gala dinner ticket purchase was not provided in Janssen’s initial response.

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Breach of Clause 9.1 (high standards) for the overall impression of supporting a meeting at a luxurious venue with golf and a gala dinner, and for additional failings linked to the gala dinner ticket.
Breach of Clause 19.1 (meetings and hospitality) because Janssen’s involvement went beyond exhibiting by purchasing a gala dinner ticket, which was considered inappropriate.
No breach of Clause 2.
The Panel also ruled no breach of Clause 19.1 in relation to the venue itself being “on the limit of acceptability” given its 5-star rating, but still found a Clause 19.1 breach due to the gala dinner ticket purchase.
No appeal.

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