STAT+: Novo Nordisk is slammed by U.K. trade group for not disclosing payments to health and patient groups

Novo Nordisk was harshly criticized by a U.K. trade group for violating voluntary codes and discrediting the pharmaceutical industry over a failure to properly disclose payments to health and patient organizations over a seven-year period.

In a 79-page report, the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, a self-regulatory panel overseen by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, found “the circumstances of this case raised questions about the culture of the company and demonstrated poor governance and a lack of care in relation to the application of the disclosure processes.”

Specifically, the panel cited evidence of “unreporting, inaccurate reporting and misreporting” the value of monetary transfers or “in-kind” payments to dozens of health care organizations, including professional medical associations, and patient groups between 2015 and 2022. The report stemmed from a complaint filed by academics at Bath University and Lund University, who research financial ties between drug companies and health care organizations and patient groups.

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