Decision

6 November 2014: promotion of unlicensed medicines

Updated 31 March 2015

Jenson Pharmaceuticals complained about a letter and price list for unlicensed medicines containing vitamin D, which was sent by Sterling Pharmaceuticals to clinicians and practice managers in March 2014.

The complainant was concerned that the advert included product claims and encouraged readers to prescribe which therefore amounted to the promotion of unlicensed medicines.

MHRA upheld the complaint. Sterling agreed to withdraw the material and ensure that future price lists are limited to a simple listing of the product details.