Promotion of paroxetine by Vir Health Ltd trading as Numan - April 2023
Published 12 July 2023
漏 Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit or write to the Information Policy Team, 皇冠体育app National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected].
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at /government/publications/advertising-investigations-april-2023/promotion-of-paroxetine-by-vir-health-ltd-trading-as-numan-april-2023
A member of the public complained about an email they had received from Vir Health Ltd (trading as Numan). 皇冠体育app complainant alleged that a Prescription-Only Medicine, paroxetine, had been promoted to them.
皇冠体育app MHRA contacted Vir Health Ltd. 皇冠体育appy said that the email was sent to a group of existing patients who had undergone a consultation with Numan for urological symptoms. 皇冠体育appy also stated that the email was part of an ongoing consultation process, inviting patients to discuss symptoms and any potential treatment options for premature ejaculation.
皇冠体育app MHRA disagreed that the email could be regarded as part of an ongoing consultation process. 皇冠体育appse patients (number contacted unknown) may not have presented with, or sought help for, the symptoms for which the treatment being promoted was directed. 皇冠体育app MHRA considered that the email was designed to promote the prescription, supply, sale, or use of a medicinal product (paroxetine) through the use of claims juxtaposed directly with the name of product, such as 鈥渓ast longer鈥� and 鈥渟olutions that work鈥�. 皇冠体育app MHRA was therefore of the view that the email was likely to lead a member of the public to request a Prescription-Only Medicine, in breach of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
皇冠体育app MHRA was particularly concerned because paroxetine has not been formally assessed for safety and efficacy for the indications in which it was presented in the email. 皇冠体育app complaint was upheld.
Vir Health Ltd confirmed that they would stop sending targeted emails to Numan customers who have undergone a prior consultation that contain content about specific Prescription-Only Medicines. 皇冠体育app company is also undertaking training and a review to ensure compliance with the advertising Regulations in line with of the , which outlines that treatment-service providers can promote the service and consultation they provide. 皇冠体育app decision to prescribe a medicine outside its licensed indication(s) is a professional matter for the individual prescriber.