The NOAH Code of Practice on the Promotion of Animal Medicines Committee, chaired by Guy Tritton, met in June 2021, to hear Case 303/06/21.
This case was brought by Hipra UK and Ireland Ltd against Zoetis UK Ltd regarding promotional claims made between March and May 2021 for Zoetis’ product CircoMax Myco.
The complaint was that claims, which could not be substantiated, had been made that CircoMax Myco provides broadest protection and broader coverage against PCV2 (porcine circovirus). These included phrases such as “Stay one step ahead with the broadest, longest-lasting combined PCV2 and M.hyo protection” and “Protect your pigs with Europe’s first and only dual PCV2 genotype vaccine. Broader coverage – against multiple PCV2 genotype and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae”.
Following comprehensive presentations from both parties and detailed analysis of the scientific and technical background, the Committee found that in their promotional statements, Zoetis promoted its CircoMax Myco vaccine as providing better and broader protection against the PCV2 virus than other vaccines on the market and that the evidence presented was not sufficient to substantiate such claims. As a result, Zoetis were found to be in breach of clauses 4.3(i), 4.3(iii), 4.3(vii), 4.4(i) and 4.4(iii) of the NOAH Code of Practice.
More information on the case can be accessed on the NOAH website.
