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

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…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2620/7/13 Sanofi

Sanofi breached an undertaking over a repeat β€œonly once-daily GLP‑1RA” claim in a Nursing Times supplement (AUTH/2620/7/13)

Sanofi was found to have breached a prior PMCPA undertaking after a Nursing Times promotional supplement repeated a very similar β€œonly once-daily…

2014
CASE
AUTH/2725/7/14 Roche Products

AUTH/2725/7/14: Member of the public v Roche – Daily Mirror article about Avastin (No breach)

Complaint alleged Roche instigated a Daily Mirror story promoting off-label Avastin use for brain tumours. Panel found allegations not proven on balance…

2014
CASE
AUTH/2716/5/14 Napp Pharmaceuticals

AUTH/2716/5/14: Napp voluntary admissionβ€”conference sponsorship emails implied inducement

Napp admitted concerns about a rep’s conduct. Panel found no breach on alleged false pretence for an appointment, but ruled breaches where…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2666/11/13 Sanofi ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2666/11/13: Member of the public v Sanofi β€” Clinical trial disclosure for Multaq and Jevtana (No breach)

Public complaint alleged Sanofi failed to disclose clinical trial results for Multaq and Jevtana in line with ABPI/IFPMA requirements. Panel reviewed UK-involvement…

2008
CASE
Merck Sharp & Dohme

MSD/Schering-Plough Ezetrol insert in The Pharmaceutical Journal: cholesterol target claim ruled misleading (Clauses 7.2, 7.4, 7.10)

A promotional insert summarising NICE guidance for ezetimibe included a broad claim that 35% of UK CHD patients miss cholesterol targets. The…

2016
CASE
AUTH/2820/2/16 Hospira

Hospira: UK pharmacists taken to Croatia for β€˜advisory board’/site visitβ€”Panel found overseas promotional meeting, inappropriate venue and poor governance (AUTH/2820/2/16)

Media complaint after Telegraph article. PMCPA ruled Hospira’s Croatia site visit/advisory board was not a genuine advisory board, lacked UK certification and…

2016
CASE
AUTH/2854/7/16 Boehringer Ingelheim

AUTH/2854/7/16: Boehringer Ingelheim voluntary admissionβ€”printed promotional materials not re-certified against approved electronic version

Boehringer Ingelheim found 103/~275 hard-copy promotional job bags lacked the required final signatory check that printed items matched the certified electronic version.…

2016
CASE
AUTH/2921/12/16 GrΓΌnenthal

AUTH/2921/12/16: GrΓΌnenthalβ€”Internal Palexia SR video uploaded to YouTube (promotion to the public)

GrΓΌnenthal admitted Code breaches after an internal Palexia SR video was uploaded to YouTube by a third party. The Panel ruled public…

2016
CASE
AUTH/2866/8/16 AstraZeneca ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2866/8/16: Anonymous (non-contactable) v AstraZeneca – engagement of a consultant and training/consultancy company

Anonymous complaint alleged coercive, industry-funded audits/workshops linked to prescribing. Most allegations not proven, but AstraZeneca was found in breach of Clause 9.1…

2016
CASE
AUTH/2922/12/16 Meda Pharmaceuticals

AUTH/2922/12/16: Assistant Director Medicines Management v Meda β€” rep criticised for omitting local β€˜grey list’ status when detailing Dymista

At a GP meeting, a Meda rep detailed Dymista without proactively stating it was locally β€˜grey listed’. PMCPA found the omission misleading…

2017
CASE
AUTH/2942/2/17 Boehringer Ingelheim

AUTH/2942/2/17: Online Spiolto banner ad (Pulse Today) – no breach (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Complaint about an online Spiolto COPD ad: missing generic name for Spiriva, unclear comparator device, and missing/outdated PI and references. Panel found…

2017
CASE
AUTH/2954/4/17 AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca: misleading CCG β€œcommercial agreement” in-call statement used at nurse forum (AUTH/2954/4/17)

A rep read an in-call statement implying a CCG-backed commercial agreement meant Symbicort cost wasn’t a barrier. The statement lacked patient-scope limits,…

2017
CASE
AUTH/2968/8/17 Bausch

AUTH/2968/8/17: Media/Director v Bausch & Lomb (Emerade shelf-life claims) – No breach

Complaint about Emerade’s claimed 30‑month shelf-life versus shorter expiry supplied by a pharmacy. Panel found the complainant hadn’t shown the claims were…

2018
CASE
AUTH/3037/4/18 Shield Therapeutics ⭐ Case of the Week

Shield Therapeutics: corporate website promoted Feraccru to the public and promoted unlicensed pipeline products (AUTH/3037/4/18)

Shield’s corporate site contained publicly accessible promotional content for Feraccru and promotional descriptions of unlicensed pipeline products. PMCPA found multiple breaches including…

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