The action will be taken against Janssen-Cilag, part of Johnson & Johnson, by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority.
J-C was hauled before the PMCPA following a 9 June PRWeek story headlined ‘B-M in NICE apology for media cash carrot' (See Related Stories).
The story was triggered by a B-M email offering journalists £200 to attend a NICE appeal hearing.
B-M at the time told PRWeek the offer was a ‘total breach of policy' and down to ‘human error'. It said: ‘It was not something the client knew about, and was a mistake by an individual. It shouldn't have happened. The client is supportive.'
But the PMCPA says J-C breached Clause 2 of the pharma industry's Code of Practice. It will be named and shamed in pharma trade journal ads - only the second time such action has been taken.
The PMCPA said J-C ‘had not actively managed its PR agency or taken all reasonable steps to ensure its agent did not breach the code', and that the company was - despite being unaware - responsible for B-M's action.
In a statement to PRWeek, J-C said: ‘Janssen-Cilag accepts the ruling of the [PMCPA] appeal board.
‘As a result of this, Janssen-Cilag is taking steps to ensure all suppliers, including PR agencies, are aware of their obligations under the ABPI's Code of Practice.'
