Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, has come under fire from the UK’s pharmaceutical watchdog for allegedly promoting an ‘unlicensed’ Covid vaccine through social media. The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) found Pfizer guilty of breaching the regulatory code five times, including making misleading claims, failing to maintain high standards, and promoting unlicensed medicines.
The complaint was centered around a tweet shared by Dr. Berkeley Phillips, the medical director of Pfizer UK, in November 2020. In the tweet, he shared a message from a Pfizer US employee boasting about the vaccine’s efficacy without providing sufficient safety information or reference to adverse events. The PMCPA ruling stated that this social media post led to the proactive dissemination of an unlicensed medicine on Twitter to health professionals and the public in the UK.
In response to the ruling, a Pfizer UK spokesman acknowledged the issues highlighted and expressed deep regret. The company emphasized its comprehensive policy on the personal use of social media in relation to Pfizer’s business, prohibiting colleagues from engaging in any social media activity related to Pfizer’s medicines and vaccines.
This development has raised concerns about the misuse of social media by pharmaceutical companies and the need for stricter regulations to ensure accurate and responsible communication regarding medical products. The PMCPA’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical standards and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry.
