8 December 2014: promotion of Azzalure and Pliaglis
Published 8 April 2015
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Galderma UK were ruled to have breached the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice following a complaint to the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (Case AUTH/2685/12/13). The case concerned a meeting which was found to promote their medicines where attendees were required to make a minimum purchase and received free gifts of non-medicinal products on the day.
On reading the report, MHRA was concerned that healthcare professionals should be made aware that the gifts could constitute a prohibited benefit. Galderma voluntarily agreed to issue a corrective statement to all recipients of the survey.
Corrective statement
Dear delegate,
Potential breach of medicines advertising legislation: Galderma sponsored PIAPA one day educational meeting.
MHRA has asked Galderma UK Ltd to provide a corrective statement regarding the nurse education day meeting you attended on 21 November 2013.
Following a complaint to the PMCPA (the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority) the meeting was found to be promoting Galderma medicines. Since the meeting was promotional, the gifts offered to attendees are considered to be a prohibited benefit.
Galderma deeply regrets having put you in this position and can assure you that we acted in good faith.
Regulation 300 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (quoted directly from the regulations)
(1) A person may not, in connection with the promotion of medicinal products to persons qualified to prescribe or supply them, supply, offer, or promise any gift, pecuniary advantage or benefit unless it is:
- inexpensive
- relevant to the practice of medicine or pharmacy
(4) A person qualified to prescribe or supply medicinal products may not solicit or accept any gift, pecuniary advantage, benefit or hospitality that is prohibited by this regulation.