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

2008
CASE
Pfizer

Pfizer Toviaz journal advertisement: prescribing information missing for promoted tolterodine (Detrusitol)

A GP complained that a Toviaz ad also promoted tolterodine without prescribing information. The Panel ruled a breach for missing obligatory information,…

2008
CASE
Boehringer Ingelheim

Anonymous doctor v Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim: sponsored journal supplement found to be disguised promotion

A journal-lookalike supplement reporting a company-run symposium was presented as a sponsored independent forum report. The Panel ruled it was disguised promotion,…

2009
CASE
AUTH/2203/1/09 Pfizer

Pfizer Champix ad: superiority claim vs NRT ruled misleading due to lack of study context (AUTH/2203/1/09)

A Champix journal ad claimed significantly greater quit success vs NiQuitin patch. PMCPA ruled the claim misleading because the ad didn’t explain…

2019
CASE
AUTH/3180/4/19 AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca sales manager’s personal Instagram post about KOL nurse ruled in scope and unethical; conflict of interest not declared (AUTH/3180/4/19)

A respiratory nurse complained about a sales manager’s personal Facebook/Instagram posts referencing a nurse KOL. Panel found one Instagram post in scope…

2008
CASE
AUTH/2176/10/08 Schering-Plough ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2176/10/08: Nurse v Schering-Plough β€” alleged confidentiality breach in NHS infusion service programme (No breach)

A nurse alleged she was suspended for refusing to share confidential unit/customer data from an infusion service facilitation programme. The Panel found…

2008
CASE
AUTH/2167/9/08 Pfizer

AUTH/2167/9/08: Astellas v Pfizer β€” Toviaz promotion, post hoc superiority claim and β€œnew step” messaging

Pfizer’s Toviaz ad claimed superiority vs tolterodine based on post hoc analysis and used β€œa new step” wording. PMCPA ruled multiple breaches…

2009
CASE
AUTH/2251/7/09 Cephalon

AUTH/2251/7/09: Health professional v Cephalon (Effentora) – alleged off-label promotion (sublingual use) – No breach

A health professional alleged Cephalon reps promoted sublingual Effentora (off-licence). Panel found insufficient evidence on balance of probabilities; no breach of Clauses…

2009
CASE
AUTH/2230/5/09 AstraZeneca

AUTH/2230/5/09: Anonymous v AstraZeneca β€” alleged conflict of interest/inducement via rep’s private supplies business (No breach)

Anonymous GP alleged an AstraZeneca rep offered savings via his private consumables company, creating a perceived inducement/conflict. Panel had concerns about perception…

2009
CASE
AUTH/2283/12/09 Lundbeck

AUTH/2283/12/09: Lundbeck breached Clause 4.7 over prescribing information location statement size/placement in Cipralex ad

A Cipralex (escitalopram) journal ad said β€œFor references and prescribing information, see overleaf” in text smaller than the Code’s 2mm requirement and…

2009
CASE
AUTH/2289/12/09 Alcon Laboratories ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2289/12/09: Merck Sharp & Dohme v Alcon β€” Azarga β€œcomfort” leavepiece and over-emphasis claims

Alcon’s Azarga leavepiece repeatedly used β€œcomfort/comfortable”. Appeal Board allowed the comparative β€œSignificantly more comfortable than Cosopt” claim (with data), but upheld breaches…

2010
CASE
AUTH/2315/4/10 Merck Serono

Anonymous Employee v Merck Serono (AUTH/2315/4/10): Target contact rates – no breach

Anonymous key account manager alleged verbal contact-rate targets forced Code breaches. Panel found no evidence targets required excessive calls; company data suggested…

2010
CASE
AUTH/2294/1/10 AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca: Seroquel ad claim of β€œfavourable weight profile” ruled misleading (AUTH/2294/1/10, AUTH/2296/1/10, AUTH/2297/1/10)

Three complaints about a 2004 Seroquel journal ad. PMCPA ruled the β€œonly atypical… favourable weight profile across the full dose range” claim…

2010
CASE
AUTH/2330/7/10 GrΓΌnenthal

GrΓΌnenthal: Versatis poster deemed promotional and off‑label (AUTH/2330/7/10)

A British Pain Society poster/handout about Versatis included an β€œoff-label” cost-saving conclusion. PMCPA ruled the poster was promotional, breached off-label and high-standards…

2010
CASE
AUTH/2374/12/10 Pfizer

Anonymous v Pfizer: Regional account directors not required to pass ABPI Medical Representatives Examination (AUTH/2374/12/10)

PMCPA ruled Pfizer in breach after two regional account directors had been in post for 2 years without passing the ABPI Medical…

2017
CASE
AUTH/2979/9/17 PharmaMar ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2979/9/17: Anonymous non-contactable complainant v PharmaMar

PMCPA case summary: Anonymous non-contactable complainant vs PharmaMar (AUTH/2979/9/17). Case details, clauses, outcome and sanctions were not stated in the provided case…

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