Astellas UK suspended from ABPI for “deception” and other cultural failings
pharmafile | June 24, 2016 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | ABPI, Astellas, cultural failings
Astellas UK has been suspended as a member of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) for a period of twelve months after a “knowingly false and intentionally misleading” account of an advisory meeting held in Milan in February 2014.
The events at this meeting came to light last year, when it emerged that Astellas had arranged a meeting for UK healthcare professionals promoting the use of cancer drug, Xtandi, in Milan.
The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMPCA) received a complaint from an anonymous healthcare professional concerning Astellas sponsoring more than 100 clinicians from the UK and elsewhere to attend the meeting in Milan.
Astellas used the meeting to seek the doctors’ opinions on how the company should market and position the drug in the UK. But the PMCPA did not see that there had been “a valid and cogent reason for holding the meeting outside the UK”. The PMPCA were very critical of Astellas in their report.
They write: “The panel considered that the additional information demonstrated that a number of individuals in Astellas Europe had not provided complete and accurate information. That this included very senior employees was extremely concerning. Astellas Europe’s conduct was completely unacceptable. It was remarkable that the individuals concerned had not provided the correct information sooner despite having had every opportunity to do so.”
The seriousness of Astellas’s actions threatened to bring the industry into disrepute. They continue: “The ABPI board was extremely concerned at the multiple organisational and cultural failings at Astellas. There was an institutional failure. Very senior staff at Astellas Europe had lied and there was deception on a grand scale which was appalling and shocking.”
The ABPI has indicated that it agreed with the PMPCA’s assessment. Astellas UK and Europe are set to re-audited in September 2016. The ABPI will review that report and review the length of the suspension imposed before the end of 2016. These re-audits must show demonstrable improvements in corporate culture.
President of the ABPI, John Kearney, says: “Breaches of the code are viewed seriously and this is reflected by the suspension. Our industry works under strict regulations and any company that fails to meet these standards will be held accountable.”
Sean Murray
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