Martindale Pharma, Pierre Fabre, Janssen and Pharmasure have all been named in advertisements for breaching the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s Code of Practice.
According to the ABPI’s Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), all have brought discredit upon and reduced confidence in the pharmaceutical industry.
Pierre Fabre was reprimanded for briefing representatives about Toviaz (fesoterodine) “using an uncertified presentation and failing to provide complete information,” the PMCPA said, and thus breached four Code clauses, including: Clause 14.1, failing to certify promotional material; and Clause 15.9, producing representatives’ briefing material that did not comply with the relevant requirements of the Code.
The firm was also found to have breached seven clauses of the Code by failing to certify representatives’ briefing materials and one presentation aimed at health professionals which promoted an unlicensed medicine, including briefing materials related to Toviaz that were misleading, and “not capable of substantiation”.
For advertising Espranor oral lyophilisate (buprenorphine) to the public and for making claims in material aimed at patients and health professionals that were “prejudicial to patient safety”, Martindale was found to have breached eight clauses of the Code.
These include Clause 9.1, failing to maintain high standards, Clause 7.2, providing misleading information, and Clause 26.1, advertising a prescription only medicine to the public.
Janssen broke rules by promoting a medicine prior to it having received authorisation, breaking three clauses, while for providing a group of health professionals with a hamper of chocolates, Pharmasure also breached three requirements of the Code, including Clause 18.1, providing a gift in connection with the promotion of medicines.
