Alstoe and Novartis found in breach
of NOAH Code on promotion

At its latest meeting, the NOAH Code of Practice Committee, chaired by Richard Arnold QC, heard five cases.

Alstoe were found in breach of the Code in respect of one out of three items under complaint regarding a brochure for Vetergesic, in that they used a superlative (“best”) which should have been avoided.

Novartis Animal Health were found in breach in respect of two items under complaint in several promotional items for Fortekor. In one case a statement made was not an accurate or balanced reflection of the research abstract referred to, and another statement was considered to be misleading.

Novartis were also found in breach of one item under complaint in an advertisement/brochure for Prac-tic. The Committee considered that the statement complained of implied that the product was superior to existing products when that had not been demonstrated.

Both companies have accepted the Committee’s rulings and given an undertaking not to repeat the promotional activities.

The Committee also considered complaints against Ceva Animal Health and VetXX, and found no breach.

NOAH encourages those interested in finding out more to read the full details of the Committee’s rulings on the NOAH website at www.noah.co.uk/code.

6 July 2007

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Phil Sketchley at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website, www.noah.co.uk/code

2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 32 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 2006 the NOAH sales survey showed a total market of £373.2m, around 90% of the total UK market.

3. 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.

4. This release summarises the Code of Practice Committee meeting on 23 March 2007