UK's PMCPA names Roche in advertisements

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority has named the UK unit of Switzerland-based drug major Roche over breaches of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's Code of Practice. The case involves the "inappropriate" supply of the Roche Product's Xenical (orlistat), an obesity treatment, to the operator of a chain of private diet clinics (Marketletter March 3). Earlier this year, the ABPI suspended the firm for a minimum of six months, with readmission dependent on a review of Roche's marketing procedures (Marketletter July 21). The latest action by the PMCPA involves the publication of a notice in the BMJ and the Pharmaceutical Journal.

At the time of the ABPI's announcement, Roche issued a statement accepting the rulings and detailing action areas to prevent their recurrence. A spokesman for the firm said: "Roche's suspension relates to an incident from 2003. Roche believes new steps it has taken to address the issue have helped it make significant progress in ensuring that it complies with all the rules, regulations and standards for our industry. Despite the speed at which Roche has grown in the UK over recent years, compliance will remain a priority for us at all times."