The UK wing of drugmaker Merck has been reprimanded for breaching industry ethical guidelines by entertaining a group of healthcare professionals at a Chinese restaurant.
Photographs from an anonymous complainant showed a representative from Merck Sharp & Dohme dining with nine doctors and a pharmacist on a Friday evening. Two of the doctors' wives were also present.
The 'meeting' drew admonishment from the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority. Its panel questioned Merck's claims that the discussion concerned guidelines dealing with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and Cox-2 inhibitors.
It judged that the session had no "clear educational content" and that it was conducted in "an unsuitable venue". Details of the indiscretion have been advertised in the trade press in the first use of new PMCPA sanctions introduced this year.
Insider's view: Busted again! And this on the day they've been drummed out of their own club!
It makes Insider wonder if we are dealing with more than just a few bad apples here! This is the usual excuse that companies put forward to protect the "higher-ups".
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