AUTH/2602/5/13: Anonymous v Chugai Pharma UK – Provision of hospitality (No breach) | PMCPA Case

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Key facts

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Case number	AUTH/2602/5/13
Parties	Anonymous (non-contactable) v Chugai Pharma UK Limited
Issue	Provision of hospitality (alleged purchase of drinks for health professionals in a hotel bar; alleged loud/unruly behaviour)
Event	British Society of Haematology meeting (53rd annual event), Liverpool, 15–17 April 2013
Complaint received	7 May 2013
Case completed	17 June 2013
Applicable Code year	2012
Clauses considered	Clauses 9.1 and 19.1
Decision	No breach
Appeal	No appeal
Sanctions	None

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

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An anonymous, non-contactable complainant raised concerns about hospitality at the British Society of Haematology (BSH) meeting (Liverpool, 15–17 April 2013).
The complainant said a local Chugai representative refused to take the complainant’s team to dinner, citing changes in the Code and Chugai’s compliance interpretation.
The complainant alleged that later (around 2am) Chugai personnel joined them in a hotel bar and that one Chugai person “openly bought rounds of drinks for everyone in the bar” and was loud with customers who were “obviously his friends”.
PMCPA asked Chugai to respond under Clauses 9.1 and 19.1.
Chugai investigated: finance director, HR director and compliance officer interviewed all employees who attended; reviewed bar bills charged to staff rooms; provided receipts, SOP/policy, training information and ABPI exam certificates for representatives.
Chugai’s account differed: staff sat separately in a booth; drinks were purchased for Chugai personnel only; no unruly/loud behaviour; no Chugai employee attended the gala dinner.

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No breach of the Code was ruled.
The Panel found the complainant had not established, on the balance of probabilities, that Chugai provided inappropriate hospitality as alleged.
No breach of Clauses 9.1 and 19.1.

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