PMCPA PRESS RELEASE 13 March 2026 - Case ruled in breach of Clause 2

​Bayer PLC has breached the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry and brought discredit upon, and reduced confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry.

13 March 2026

Bayer – Case/0216/06/24

For the promotion of an unlicensed medicine Eylea (aflibercept 8mg), prior to the grant of its UK marketing authorisation, during two presentations at an event in December 2023, Bayer was ruled in breach of the following clauses of the 2021 Code: 

Clause 2 - Bringing discredit upon, and reducing confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry

Clause 3.1  - Promoting a medicine prior to the grant of its marketing authorisation

Clause 5.1  - Failing to maintain high standards

 

The case report is available at www.pmcpa.org.uk.

 

Ends

Notes to Editors:

Notes to Editors:
The advertisement will appear in the BMJ and the Nursing Standard in June 2026.

 


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For more information contact info@pmcpa.org.uk

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) is the self-regulatory body for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of the ABPI. The Code covers the promotion of medicines for prescribing to health professionals and the provision of information to the public about prescription only medicines.

If you have any concerns about the activities of pharmaceutical companies in this regard, please contact the PMCPA at 2nd Floor, Goldings House, Hay’s Galleria, 2 Hay’s Lane, London, SE1 2HB, email: complaints@pmcpa.org.uk, or visit www.pmcpa.org.uk/complaints-procedure/make-a-complaint.

The Code and other information, including details about ongoing cases, can be found on the PMCPA website: www.pmcpa.org.uk.

The PMCPA is a division of the ABPI which is a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no 09826787. Registered office 2nd Floor Goldings House, Hay’s Galleria, 2 Hay’s Lane, London, SE1 2HB.