Schering-Plough found in breach of NOAH code on promotion

Schering-Plough have been found in breach of the NOAH Code of Practice on Promotion of Animal Medicines (Case No. 255/07/06).

The Committee, chaired by Richard Arnold QC, judged that the statement “it’s the only dry cow tube licensed to reduce cell counts”, without making it clear that the SPC refers only to lower cell counts accompanying Streptococcus uberis infection, was misleading, contrary to Clause 4.3. Schering-Plough Animal Health have accepted the ruling of the Committee and will not continue to pursue these promotional activities.

On the 11th August 2006 the Committee also heard another Case (No. 254/06/06) brought by Boehringer Ingelheim Limited against Pfizer Animal Health and considered that the statement “The new licence variation now demonstrates that Rimadyl also stimulates cartilage regeneration, thereby slowing the progression of cartilage loss” was a fair summary of the SPC and found that there was no breach of Clause 4.3.

Please refer to the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk/code for full details on the Committee’s rulings.

20 October 2006

Notes for Editors

For further information contact Phil Sketchley at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 32 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 2004 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £398 million UK animal health market
Since 1974 the animal medicine industry has regulated the contents and quality of advertisements, leaflets and promotional activities under its Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines which is obligatory for all NOAH members and companies participating in the NOAH Datasheet Compendium. The Code is administered by a committee of 15, including an independent chairman, veterinary and farming members as well as elected industry experts.
This release summarises the Code of Practice Committee meeting on 11 August 2006.