PMCPA PRESS RELEASE 24 October 2025 (2 of 2) - Case ruled in breach of Clause 2
AstraZeneca has breached the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry and brought discredit upon, and reduced confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry.
24 October 2025
For using a claim which misleadingly implied that Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) Turbohaler with AIR (anti-inflammatory reliever) therapy was suitable for all newly diagnosed asthma patients aged 12 years and over, AstraZeneca was ruled in breach of the following clauses of the 2024 Code:
Clause 2 - Bringing discredit upon, and reducing confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry
Clause 5.1 - Failing to maintain high standards at all times
Clause 6.1 - Making a misleading claim
Clause 6.2 - Making an unsubstantiated claim
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 December 2025
Media Contacts:
For more information contact info@pmcpa.org.uk
The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) 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.