Novo Nordisk has been suspended as a member of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) for two years due to serious breaches of the ABPI Code of Practice.
This is the eighth occasion in the past 40 years the ABPI Board has issued such a significant sanction.
The ABPI says the action has been taken following an extensive investigation and appeals process conducted by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) which found Novo Nordisk to be in breach of the ABPI Code of Practice.
This included Clause 2 which deals with actions “likely to bring discredit on, or reduce confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry”.
As a result, while the company continues to be subject to the ABPI Code and the jurisdiction of the PMCPA, it will not be able to access the wider benefits of ABPI membership. This includes the removal of Novo Nordisk from all ABPI groups, including the ABPI Board, and access to any ABPI information and briefing.
Susan Rienow, President-Elect, ABPI, said: “Such measures are never taken lightly, but will ensure a rapid return to industry compliance standards as set out in the ABPI Code of Practice.”
In addition, the Board has stipulated a number of additional actions to demonstrate a rapid return to industry compliance standards. These include requiring the PMCPA to undertake further audits of Novo Nordisk’s compliance in late 2023 and 2024.
The ABPI Board has also insisted that Novo Nordisk must submit a quarterly update to the ABPI Board giving the company’s views on the progress being made against its improvement plan.
