Pfizer found in breach of NOAH Code on promotion

At its meeting on 1st February 2008, the NOAH Code of Practice Committee, chaired by Richard Arnold QC, heard one case.

Pfizer Limited were found in breach in respect of two items under complaint in respect of promotion of Spirovac.

The Committee considered that the first item complained of was misleading and inconsistent with the SPC since it amounted to a claim that Spirovac conferred protection against L. hardjo prajitno when the SPC acknowledges that such protection has not been demonstrated.

The Committee considered that the second item complained of was misleading and was inconsistent with the SPC since it amounted to a claim that Spirovac was licensed for use against both L. hardjo bovis and L. hardjo prajitno when it is only licensed for use against L. hardjo bovis.

NOAH encourages those interested in finding out more to read the full details of the Committee’s rulings on the NOAH website.

17 March 2008

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 29 corporate members and 8 associate members. In 2007 the NOAH sales survey showed a total market of £415m, which is estimated to represent approximately 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 1 February 2008.