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

2007
CASE
AUTH/1977/3/07 AstraZeneca

AUTH/1977/3/07: Pfizer v AstraZeneca – statin β€˜NICE guidance’ insert and PCT guideline leaflet (Crestor)

AstraZeneca-supported statin materials were ruled disguised promotion for Crestor, with misleading cost/safety content and missing prescribing information. Serious process failures led to…

2007
CASE
AUTH/2054/10/07 Sanofi

AUTH/2054/10/07: Anonymous representative v Sanofi-Aventis – call frequency targets and bonus scheme (No breach)

Anonymous caller alleged Sanofi-Aventis incentivised reps to see key customers 9–12 times, breaching call frequency rules. Panel found targets were team-based and…

2007
CASE
AUTH/2005/5/07 Pfizer ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/2005/5/07: GP v Pfizer – Celebrex journal ad claim β€˜relieve my pain’ (No breach)

A GP alleged a Celebrex journal ad implied guaranteed 100% pain relief. The Panel found the wording was an aspiration and not…

GrΓΌnenthal

GrΓΌnenthal Versatis BMJ ad: headline claim implied broader neuropathic pain use (breach upheld for Clause 3.2; other breaches overturned on appeal)

BMJ ad for Versatis said β€œNew for burning, shooting, stabbing pains”. Panel found this implied use beyond PHN (breach 3.2). On appeal,…

2007
CASE
AUTH/1956/2/07 Pfizer

GP v Pfizer: Exubera journal ad found misleading due to inhaler image scale (AUTH/1956/2/07)

A GP said a BMJ ad for Exubera misled on how large the inhaler was. The Panel agreed the artwork implied the…

2006
CASE
AUTH/1926/12/06 Eli Lilly

Lilly: Cialis samples posted after rep dated request forms (AUTH/1926/12/06)

A GP received Cialis samples by post via an agency and said he hadn’t requested them. The Panel found the rep had…

2006
CASE
AUTH/1894/10/06 AstraZeneca

AUTH/1894/10/06: Novartis v AstraZeneca – Arimidex mailing and misleading cost comparison

AstraZeneca’s Arimidex mailer compared 28‑day acquisition costs of aromatase inhibitors under a broad β€œbreast cancer” heading without clarifying differing licensed indications. PMCPA…

2006
CASE
AUTH/1825/4/06 Shire Pharmaceuticals ⭐ Case of the Week

AUTH/1825/4/06: ProStrakan v Shire – Calcichew-D3 Forte β€˜preferred by 80%’ claim ruled misleading

Shire’s journal ad claimed Calcichew-D3 Forte was preferred over Adcal-D3 by 80% of patients and implied a pleasant taste. PMCPA found the…

2017
CASE
AUTH/3004/12/17 Gilead

AUTH/3004/12/17: Director v Gilead – Clinical trial disclosure (Sovaldi) (No breach; outwith scope)

PMCPA case AUTH/3004/12/17 (Director v Gilead) concerning clinical trial disclosure for Sovaldi. Outcome: no breach; matter found to be outwith the scope…

2015
CASE
AUTH/2809/12/15 Amicus Therapeutics

AUTH/2809/12/15: Sanofi Genzyme v Amicus Therapeutics – pre-authorisation promotion to a patient organisation meeting

Amicus presented on investigational migalastat at a UK patient organisation network meeting. PMCPA ruled pre-authorisation promotion and lack of certification (Clauses 3.1,…

2014
CASE
AUTH/2690/1/14 Mitsubishi

AUTH/2690/1/14: Member of the public v Mitsubishi (Incivo) – out of scope / no breach

A member of the public complained to the PMCPA about Mitsubishi regarding clinical trial disclosure for Incivo. The matter was ruled outwith…

2013
CASE
AUTH/2627/8/13 Pfizer

AUTH/2627/8/13: Anonymous v Pfizer β€” meeting sponsorship (out of scope; no breach)

Anonymous complaint about Pfizer meeting sponsorship. PMCPA concluded the matter was outwith the scope of the ABPI Code, so no case report…

2006
CASE
AUTH/1822/4/06 ApoPharma ⭐ Case of the Week

Novartis v ApoPharma & Swedish Orphan: Ferriprox β€˜Life is getting longer’ claim, missing PI link, and public-facing patient newsletter issues (AUTH/1822/4/06, AUTH/1823/4/06)

Ferriprox banner and patient-newsletter content drew breaches for missing prescribing info link (HCP ad), unsubstantiated hanging comparison, and unbalanced public messaging encouraging…

2018
CASE
AUTH/3115/11/18 Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk advisory boards: high standards breach amid concerns over volume, format and embassy venue (AUTH/3115/11/18)

Anonymous complaint alleged repeated advisory boards were disguised promotion with excessive value. Panel found a breach of Clause 9.1 (high standards) due…

2007
CASE
AUTH/2021/7/07 Lundbeck

Lundbeck: amended Cipralex letter implied local health board endorsement (AUTH/2021/7/07 & AUTH/2024/7/07)

Two health boards said a Cipralex letter implied they endorsed use in GAD. A representative had altered a certified template and sent…

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