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
one case.
Novartis Animal Health were found in breach in respect of
two items under complaint in respect of promotion of Fortekor.
The Committee considered that the first item complained
of encouraged the prescription of Fortekor for dogs with NYHA Stage 1 Mitral
Valve Disease and therefore was inconsistent with the SPC because such dogs
do not have heart failure as opposed to MVD.
The Committee considered that the second item complained
of was disparaging of a competitor's product since it failed to make it
clear that the study cited concerned off-label use of the competitor’s
product and since it presented the conclusions of the study with regard to
the competitor’s product in an unduly negative manner. For the same reasons
the Committee considered that the item complained of was not a balanced
presentation of the study.
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.
23 November 2007
Notes for Editors
For further information contact
Phil Sketchley at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH
website, www.noah.co.uk/code
-
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 31 corporate members and 9 associate members. In 2006 the NOAH
sales survey showed a total market of £373.2m, around 90% of the total
UK 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 23 March 2007
|
