PMCPA Case Analysis

Over 2,000 real rulings β€” analysed for what they mean to your team. Published every day.

All Cases PMCPA Case of the Week PMCPA Cases

Showing 1914 cases

2019
CASE
AUTH/3182/4/19 Astellas

Astellas breached ABPI Code after repeated calls to pharmacist who said they didn’t speak to industry (AUTH/3182/4/19)

A pharmacist complained about repeated calls from Astellas reps about formulary approval. The Panel found the pharmacist’s wishes weren’t observed (breach Clauses…

2019
CASE
AUTH/3148/1/19 GlaxoSmithKline

GSK: Seretide digital banner β€˜back-up’ frame treated as separate ad; breach for non-proprietary name not adjacent/legible (AUTH/3148/1/19)

A Seretide Evohaler digital banner in Pulse rotated across 4 frames, but a media agency set frame 2 as a static β€˜back-up’.…

2019
CASE
AUTH/3232/7/19 Boehringer Ingelheim

AUTH/3232/7/19 & AUTH/3233/7/19: Public complaint about POM congress stand visibility (No breach)

A member of the public alleged POM promotional panels at ExCeL London were visible/readable from a public coffee area. Panel found the…

2010
CASE
AUTH/2351/8/10 Roche Products

AUTH/2351/8/10: Lilly v Roche – Promotion of Tarceva and the meaning of β€œfirst-line maintenance” (No breach on appeal)

Lilly challenged Roche’s use of β€œfirst-line maintenance” for Tarceva across a leavepiece, ad and sponsored feature. Panel found breaches, but the Appeal…

2008
CASE
Sanofi ⭐ Case of the Week

Sanofi-Aventis: HSJ β€˜special report’ found to be disguised promotion for dronedarone (Clause 12.1)

A sponsored HSJ β€˜special report’ on atrial fibrillation looked like independent editorial and favoured dronedarone. PMCPA ruled Sanofi-Aventis was inextricably linked to…

2011
CASE
AUTH/2397/4/11 Warner Chilcott

Hospital consultant v Warner Chilcott: Asacol leavepiece claim β€œup to 72% treatment success” (AUTH/2397/4/11)

A consultant challenged an Asacol leavepiece claiming β€œup to 72% treatment success”. The Panel found breaches, but on appeal the Appeal Board…

2011
CASE
AUTH/2389/2/11 Alcon Laboratories

AUTH/2389/2/11: Allergan v Alcon β€” Travatan β€œthornless rose” visual and lab-data tolerability claims

Alcon’s Travatan BAK-free ad used a thornless rose and animal/in vitro data implying better tolerability vs BAK formulation. PMCPA found the ad…

2018
CASE
AUTH/3088/9/18 Ipsen

AUTH/3088/9/18: Director v Ipsen (Clinical trial disclosure) – No breach

BMJ analysis suggested 3 Ipsen trials were missing EUCTR results. Panel found 2 trials had no UK nexus and 1 was cancelled…

2008
CASE
Abbott Laboratories

Abbott voluntary admission: representative worked without passing ABPI Medical Representatives Examination (Clause 16.3)

Abbott disclosed that one representative had not taken/passed the ABPI Medical Representatives Examination after exemptions ended in 2006. PMCPA ruled a breach…

2008
CASE
AstraZeneca ⭐ Case of the Week

AstraZeneca & Bristol-Myers Squibb: Onglyza advert in Health Service Journal (audience targeting) – no breach on appeal

Two public complaints said an Onglyza advertorial in Health Service Journal was inappropriate/too technical and potentially public-facing. Panel found a Clause 11.1…

2018
CASE
AUTH/3117/11/18 Seqirus

AUTH/3117/11/18: Director v Seqirus (Clinical trial disclosure) – Outwith scope of the Code

PMCPA case AUTH/3117/11/18 (Director v Seqirus) concerned clinical trial disclosure but was ruled outwith the scope of the ABPI Code (2016). No…

2018
CASE
AUTH/3097/9/18 Teva

AUTH/3097/9/18: Director v Teva β€” Clinical trial disclosure on EUCTR (No breach after appeal)

BMJ analysis suggested Teva had unreported EUCTR trial results (72% disclosed). Panel initially found Clause 9.1 breaches for two UK-nexus trials, but…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2516/6/12 Merz Pharma UK

AUTH/2516/6/12: Allergan/PMCPA Director v Merz β€” Bocouture ad implied 1:1 interchangeability with Botox (breach of undertaking)

Merz’s Bocouture ad in Cosmetic News implied 1:1 clinical conversion/equal potency vs Botox. PMCPA ruled it breached a prior undertaking and failed…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2495/3/12 ALK-AbellΓ³

AUTH/2495/3/12: Pharmacist v ALK-AbellΓ³ (Jext vs EpiPen) – No breach

A pharmacist alleged an ALK-AbellΓ³ rep wrongly said EpiPen was discontinued, Jext administration was identical, and Jext had 24-month shelf life. Panel…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2473/1/12 Vifor Pharma ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2473/1/12: Vifor Pharma – Ferinject journal ads not UK-certified (Clause 14.1 x3)

Vifor voluntarily admitted three Ferinject ads placed by global colleagues in international journals were not certified under the UK ABPI Code. PMCPA…

Ask questions about any PMCPA case

Anzal, our PMCPA rulings expert, has knowledge of over 2,000 published cases β€” ask about precedents, clauses, and how they apply to your situation.

⭐ Flagship Programme

AQP Flagship Path — the complete UK ABPI signatory programme

12 modules. 12 weeks. Final Signatory readiness. The industry standard for ABPI Code signatories — £995 + VAT.

Enrol — AQP Path Learn more

📰 Weekly PMCPA Case Breakdown

One real case. One key lesson. Every week β€” free.

Subscribe Free
🎓 AQP Training