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

2012
CASE
AUTH/2526/8/12 Sanofi

Sanofi Pasteur MSD: Shingles β€˜advertorial’ and linked websites ruled to promote Zostavax to the public (AUTH/2526/8/12)

A shingles awareness advert in a lifestyle magazine, plus links/QR code to a company site and a patient organisation site, was ruled…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2505/5/12 ProStrakan

AUTH/2505/5/12: Anonymous v ProStrakan β€” Abstral off-label promotion allegation (No breach)

Anonymous burns-unit complainant alleged a ProStrakan medical liaison specialist promoted off-label Abstral and compared it with Actiq without data. Panel found complaint…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2484/2/12 Sanofi

AUTH/2484/2/12: Therapist v Sanofi (Clexane) β€” medical information request from member of the public (No breach)

A caller sought advice on when to inject Clexane before a long flight. Sanofi declined to advise on a personal medical matter…

2008
CASE
Pierre Fabre ⭐ Case of the Week

Anonymous v Pierre Fabre: representative emails about β€˜oral chemotherapy clinics’ ruled non-promotional (no breach)

Anonymous complaint alleged unsolicited promotional emails to NHS staff about setting up β€˜oral chemotherapy’ clinics without consent or prescribing info. Panel found…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2515/6/12 Merz

AUTH/2515/6/12: Allergan/Director v Merz β€” Bocouture vs Botox β€œComparable efficacy” and β€œ1:1 Clinical Conversion Ratio” (No breach)

Allergan alleged Merz’s FACE conference stand/leavepiece implied Bocouture and Botox were interchangeable/equivalent (1:1 conversion). Panel and Appeal Board held β€œcomparable efficacy” did…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2565/11/12 Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim: market research survey invite over-emphasised payments and implied switching incentive (AUTH/2565/11/12, AUTH/2566/11/12, AUTH/2567/11/12)

Three HCPs complained about an NVAF stroke-prevention online survey invite offering Β£70 plus extra Β£5 for β€œSwitched to Pradaxa/Xarelto” forms. Survey wasn’t…

2012
CASE
AUTH/2535/10/12 Pfizer

AUTH/2535/10/12: Patient v Pfizer β€” Champix (varenicline) patient leaflets and seizure warnings (No breach)

A patient alleged Pfizer failed to warn about seizures/convulsions with Champix. PMCPA found UK patient materials reflected the SPC/PIL at the time…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2586/3/13 Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring voluntary admission: uncertified symposium flyers sent to 436 UK delegates (AUTH/2586/3/13)

Ferring’s global office mistakenly mailed two Milan congress symposium flyers to 436 UK delegates. PMCPA ruled both flyers were promotional and uncertified…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2641/9/13 Lundbeck ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2641/9/13: Chief Pharmacist v Lundbeck β€” Cipralex promotional email (no breach)

A chief pharmacist complained about a Cipralex (escitalopram) promotional email sent via a database agency to local prescribers despite non-formulary status. The…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2610/6/13 Tillotts Pharma UK

Tillotts Pharma: β€˜Educational update’ journal supplement ruled disguised promotion and misleading cost/guideline messaging (Octasa) (AUTH/2610/6/13)

A British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy supplement branded as an β€œEducational update” about Octasa was ruled disguised promotion. Multiple misleading/unsubstantiated cost and…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2628/8/13 Chiesi

Chiesi: BJMA β€˜Annual Scientific Meeting’ sponsorship raised concerns over social focus and due diligence (AUTH/2628/8/13)

Anonymous complaint about BJMA meeting sponsorship (Bolton, July 2013). Panel saw event as mainly social with limited science. Chiesi appealed: Clause 19.1…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2644/10/13 Galen

AUTH/2644/10/13: Norgine v Galen β€” Prescribing policy for Laxido Orange (no breach; switch services allegation)

Norgine alleged Galen’s prescribing policy on switching Movicol to Laxido Orange indirectly facilitated a prohibited switch programme. Panel and Appeal Board ruled…

2015
CASE
AUTH/2793/9/15 AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca Forxiga EMIS Web β€˜9 step guide’ ruled misleading; corrective statement and public reprimand (AUTH/2793/9/15)

AstraZeneca’s EMIS Web search guide for identifying patients for Forxiga was ruled misleading and inconsistent with the SPC, with undue weight-loss emphasis…

2015
CASE
Actavis ⭐ Case of the Week

Bayer v Actavis: Levosert leavepiece ruled misleading on breadth of suitability and β€œ25% saving” cost claim

Actavis’ Levosert leavepiece implied broader suitability than Mirena and claimed a β€œ25% saving” on acquisition cost. PMCPA ruled the claims misleading/unsubstantiated and…

2015
CASE
AUTH/2756/5/15 Merck Serono

Merck Serono call-rate targets: pressure for β€œ6 calls/contacts per day” and uncertified field briefings (AUTH/2756/5/15)

Anonymous employee alleged Merck Serono neurology KAMs were pushed to achieve 6 calls/contacts per day. Panel found targets risked inconvenience and Code…

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