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/3228/7/19 Ipsen

Merz v Ipsen: Dysport β€˜long-lasting effect’ campaign found misleading on appeal (AUTH/3228/7/19)

After inter-company dialogue, Ipsen’s Dysport messaging (β€˜a toxin with a long-lasting effect’) was held to imply an unsubstantiated duration advantage. Appeal Board…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3339/4/20 Accord

Accord breached ABPI Code after LinkedIn post described POMs as β€œvital COVID-19 medicines” (AUTH/3339/4/20)

An employee complaint upheld after Accord’s public LinkedIn post referred positively to three prescription-only medicines as β€œvital COVID-19 medicines”, amounting to promotion…

2019
CASE
Reckitt Benckiser

Reckitt Benckiser: Pulse Daily email linked to β€˜educational hub’ that promoted Gaviscon for prescription and used β€˜gets to work instantly’ claim

Pulse Daily email linked to a sponsored β€˜education hub’ that the Panel said promoted Gaviscon for prescription. Breaches included disguised promotion, unclear…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3357/5/20 Colonis Pharma

AUTH/3357/5/20: Complainant v Colonis Pharma Ltd – website product pages alleged to advertise POMs to the public (No breach)

Anonymous complainant alleged Colonis’ public website promoted prescription-only medicines. Panel found the pages were non-promotional reference information with no product claims; no…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3389/9/20 Sandoz ⭐ Case of the Week

Sandoz: POM ad visible to the public after journal mailed in transparent wrapper (AUTH/3389/9/20)

A Reletrans (buprenorphine) journal cover outsert became visible when ~3,300 copies were mailed in transparent polywrap. PMCPA ruled promotion of a POM…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3407/10/20 Pharmasure

AUTH/3407/10/20: Pharmasure breached undertaking by leaving Meriofert superiority-style claims on UK website

After giving an undertaking to stop using misleading Meriofert vs Menopur claims, Pharmasure left similar claims live on its UK website. PMCPA…

2019
CASE
Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Sunosi websiteβ€”mobile prescribing information not sufficiently prominent (Clause 4.6) and high standards breach (Clause 9.1)

Complaint about Sunosi website links, mobile prescribing info and dosing claim. Panel found no breach for external-link clarity or dosing claim, but…

2021
CASE
AUTH/3470/2/21 GlaxoSmithKline

AUTH/3470/2/21: GlaxoSmithKline – Seretide digital banner ad (no breach)

Complaint alleged a Seretide Evohaler banner claim was misleading on age/indication and that β€œPI” was unclear. PMCPA ruled no breach across all…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3405/10/20 Leo

LEO: Global YouTube content, UK scope and missing mandatory information for tinzaparin symposium video (AUTH/3405/10/20)

Complaint about 60 videos on LEO’s Global YouTube. Most out of UK Code scope, but breaches found for an HCP symposium video…

2020
CASE
AUTH/3424/11/20 GlaxoSmithKline ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/3424/11/20: Anonymous v GlaxoSmithKline (GP Online β€˜Sponsored by GSK’ asthma inhalers article and lowcarboninhalers.co.uk) – No breach on appeal

Complaint about transparency of GSK sponsorship of a GP Online article and alleged disguised promotion on a low-carbon inhalers HCP website. Panel…

2021
CASE
AUTH/3452/1/21 Lundbeck

Lundbeck: β€˜Educational hub’ article found to be disguised promotion and off-label for Abilify Maintena (AUTH/3452/1/21)

A gated UK HCP β€œeducational” site hosted an article indirectly promoting Abilify Maintena, including off-label depression messaging and missing mandatory info. PMCPA…

2021
CASE
AUTH/3497/3/21 Daiichi-Sankyo UK

AUTH/3497/3/21: Daiichi Sankyo – Lixiana websites (misleading lactose and renal impairment dosing presentation)

Complaint about two Lixiana (edoxaban) websites. Most allegations not proven, but two webpage elements were ruled misleading: β€œlactose not listed as an…

2019
CASE
Allergan

Allergan: senior UK employee’s LinkedIn β€˜likes’ ruled to be proactive dissemination and promotion (pre-licence and to the public)

A senior UK employee β€˜liked’ LinkedIn posts about investigational/US-approved medicines and a Botox post. PMCPA ruled pre-licence promotion and public promotion of…

2021
CASE
AUTH/3587/12/21 AstraZeneca

AUTH/3587/12/21: Anonymous health professional v AstraZeneca (Symbicort cost calculator webpage) – No breach

Complaint alleged Symbicort cost-calculator webpage lacked prescribing information and generic name and breached a prior undertaking. Panel and Appeal Board found the…

2021
CASE
AUTH/3543/7/21 Eli Lilly ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/3543/7/21: Novo Nordisk v Eli Lilly – β€˜Barber’s Box’ GLP‑1RA comparison presentation (Trulicity)

Lilly’s β€˜Barber’s Box’ slide deck comparing GLP‑1RAs was ruled misleading: shaded comparative boxes and selective CVOT subgroup messaging implied advantages without adequate…

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