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On 22 December 2022, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) — sitting in Grand Chamber — published its judgement in case C-530, Euroaptieka. The judgement adds further commentary to the meaning of “advertising medicinal products” in the EU and the competencies of EU Member States to restrict drug advertising activities. The judgement has particular implications for advertising “unspecified medicinal products”. No doubt, this judgement will be of interest to pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies looking at the communications activities they carry out in the EU and the risks entailed.…

Continue Reading CJEU Rules on the Advertising of “Unspecified Medicinal Products” in the EU

Following the federal election in September 2021, Germany will soon be led by a new three-party coalition, the so-called “traffic light coalition”, composed of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Liberal Democrats (FDP) and the Green Party (Die Grünen). This new federal government led by the new chancellor Olaf Scholz from the Social Democrats will replace the Merkel administration and will be in office for four years. On November 24, 2021, the new coalition has presented their coalition agreement with their plans for the next 4 years. The agreement needs to be approved by the respective party committees and it is expected that all three parties will approve it.…

Continue Reading New German Government plans significant changes with Impact on the Healthcare, Life Sciences and Food Sector

By Dr. Dr. Adem Koyuncu, Covington & Burling LLP

In the EU, drug companies are not allowed to publicly promote prescription-only medicines. As courts also apply a broad interpretation of the term “promotional”, nearly all public statements that mention a prescription drug are likely to be qualified as illegal advertising. In certain circumstances, this may be the case even if no drug is mentioned.

But what should a drug company do if false statements about its product are distributed? What is allowed in case of a so-called shitstorm? What can the company do to counter negative public statements about its drugs by HTA bodies or other institutions of the healthcare system?…

Continue Reading German court allows pharma company public promotional statements about Rx-drug to counter a “shitstorm” – a trend also for the rest of the EU?

Article originally published in the Life Sciences Handbook, 2012

1. What is the regulatory framework for the authorisation, pricing and reimbursement of drugs, biologicals and devices (as they are termed in your jurisdiction)?

Legislation
The main legislative acts regulating medicinal products are the:

Originally published as Covington E-Alert on February 13, 2012

New Advertising Rules

Medicinal and Health Products (“loi relative au renforcement de la sécurité sanitaire du médicament et des produits de santé”) (the ‘New Law’) will have a tremendous impact on the medical devices industry. The industry will now be subject to new advertising rules, sunshine-like…

Originally published as Covington E-Alert on May 9, 2011

The EU Court of Justice just issued two long awaited rulings on the interpretation of the rules governing advertising of medicines in Europe. They address (i) the requirement that all advertising must comply with the prescribing information (SmPC) for the product and (ii) the distinction between…