UCB: Out-of-date Neupro prescribing information found on internal test webpage (no breach)

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Key facts

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Case number	AUTH/3353/5/20
Company	UCB
Complainant	Concerned UK health professional (self-described)
Product	Neupro (rotigotine transdermal patch)
Channel	Website (mypatchandme) / specific URL to a test page
Allegation	Prescribing information online was out of date and omitted rhabdomyolysis
Key evidence noted	Certified HCP area (passcode) had Feb 2020 PI including rhabdomyolysis; test page PI dated Sept 2019; analytics showed 2 unique visitors and 3 visits to the test page
Panel decision	No breach of Clauses 2, 4.1, 9.1
Complaint received	23 May 2020
Case completed	29 March 2021
Applicable Code year	2019
Appeal	No appeal

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

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A UK health professional complained that online prescribing information for Neupro (rotigotine transdermal patch) was out of date and did not include rhabdomyolysis as a possible severe side-effect.
The complainant provided a URL and screenshot and said they accessed it without any special username.
UCB said the page was a test page created to check website functionality, intended for internal use only, and not part of the certified external site journey.
UCB said the certified health professional area (passcode-protected) contained up-to-date prescribing information (dated February 2020) which did include rhabdomyolysis (frequency not known).
UCB stated the test page could only be reached by typing the exact URL; it was not linked from the live site and the URL had not been communicated externally.
UCB’s analytics showed only two unique visitors and three visits to the page, occurring on 26 May 2020 and attributed to UCB’s investigation team.
UCB removed the page immediately after receiving the complaint and said it would revise internal processes/guidelines for managing digital assets.

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