Anonymous health professional v Astellas Pharma Europe

Arrangements for a meeting

Corrective statement

On 27/28 February 2014, Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd held a pan-european meeting which it described as an “Uro-oncology Advisory Board”. I am writing to you because you were a UK delegate at that meeting.

Following a complaint under the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry, the Code of Practice Panel ruled that the arrangements did not meet the criteria for an advisory board and that UK health professionals had received payment to attend the meeting, which promoted Xtandi for an unlicensed indication. The Panel also ruled that Astellas Europe had failed to uphold high standards and brought discredit upon and reduced confidence in the pharmaceutical industry. As a result of the above Astellas Pharma Europe has been required to issue this corrective statement and to circulate a copy of the published report for the case which contains full details. This is enclosed.

Astellas Pharma Europe sent copies of the case report and the company's corrective statement to all UK attendees at the meeting. The materials were sent on 1 July 2015.

Date posted 1 July 2015