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PMCPA Case

Stirling Anglian: ‘Advisory board’ in Germany ruled promotional, with inappropriate hospitality and payments (AUTH/2783/7/15)

📅 8 March 2026 | 🖉 Dr Anzal Qurbain
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Key facts

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Case numberAUTH/2783/7/15
PartiesThe Daily Telegraph/Director v Stirling Anglian
IssueArrangements for a meeting described as an advisory board (Germany) including payments and hospitality
Applicable Code year2015
Complaint received27 July 2015
Meeting dates/location2/3 July 2015; Baden-Baden/Appenweier, Germany
Attendees12 UK health professionals (plus company/manufacturer/third-party staff)
Payments£500 per day for two days (plus economy flights/expenses) (as submitted)
Key findingsNot a genuine advisory board; promotion including pipeline products; inducement; inappropriate hospitality; lack of due diligence/oversight
Breach clauses2, 9.1, 18.1, 21, 22.1, 22.2 and 23.1
SanctionsUndertaking; corrective statement; advertisement; audit and re-audits
Corrective statement issued16 December 2015
Case completed12 October 2017

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

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What happened

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  • Trigger: The Daily Telegraph ran articles (24–25 July 2015) alleging senior NHS medicines decision-makers were paid and hosted on a “spa trip” to Baden-Baden, Germany, and that attendees “switched” to the company’s products afterwards.
  • PMCPA action: Under Paragraph 6.1 of the Constitution and Procedure, the matter was taken up as a complaint under the ABPI Code (Applicable Code year: 2015).
  • Event: A meeting on 2/3 July 2015 in Germany described as an “Advisory Board”, including a factory tour and discussions about Stirling Anglian products (CosmoCol, theiCal-D3) and pipeline products.
  • Payments: UK health professionals were paid £500 per day for two days plus economy flights and expenses (per company submissions).
  • Hospitality/venue: Overnight stay in Baden-Baden; dinner and drinks provided (hosted by the manufacturer). The Panel considered the hotel a lavish/deluxe venue and the hospitality not secondary to the meeting purpose.
  • Third parties: A third-party organiser recruited attendees, chaired/facilitated discussions, and produced the meeting report; the manufacturer arranged local logistics and hospitality. The Panel reiterated the company’s responsibility for third parties acting on its behalf.
  • Documentation issues: The Panel was concerned the arrangements had not been certified and noted informal/unprofessional email wording to attendees (it requested the company be reminded of Clause 14.2 requirements and disclosure obligations).
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Outcome

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  • Breaches ruled: The Panel ruled the meeting was not a genuine advisory board and that UK health professionals had been paid to attend a meeting where medicines were promoted (including pipeline products).
  • Inducement finding: The meeting and payments were ruled an inducement to recommend Stirling Anglian medicines.
  • Hospitality finding: Hospitality was ruled not appropriate, out of proportion, and exceeded what recipients would normally pay themselves; dinner cost exceeded the relevant German benchmark.
  • Industry discredit: The arrangements were ruled to have brought discredit upon and reduced confidence in the industry (Clause 2).
  • Escalation: The Panel reported the company to the Appeal Board (report from Panel to Appeal Board; no appeal hearing).
  • Appeal Board view: The Appeal Board described the arrangements as “shambolic” and highlighted a profound lack of Code expertise and oversight.
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