AUTH/2919/12/16 - Anonymous, non-contactable v Merck Sharp & Dohme

Conduct of representative

  • Received
    14 December 2016
  • Case number
    AUTH/2919/12/16
  • Applicable Code year
    2016
  • Completed
    20 January 2017
  • No breach Clause(s)
  • Additional sanctions
  • Appeal
    No appeal
  • Review
    February 2017 Review

Case Summary

An anonymous, non-contactable complainant, who stated he/she was a general practitioner, submitted a complaint about a named representative who previously worked for Merck Sharp & Dohme, alleging that the representative would bring her daughter to meetings.  A verbal complaint was made to her manager and she left that company.

The detailed response from Merck Sharp & Dohme is given below.

The Panel noted Merck Sharp & Dohme’s submission that no verbal or written complaint had been received by the manager concerning the alleged attendance of the representative’s daughter at any meetings or functions. 

The Panel considered that the complainant had not shown, on the balance of probabilities, that the representative had not maintained a high standard of ethical conduct and therefore ruled no breach of the Code.  The Panel did not consider that in the circumstances Merck Sharp & Dohme had failed to maintain a high standard nor had it brought discredit upon or reduced confidence in the industry. The Panel therefore ruled no breach of the Code including Clause 2.