Photo: Vifor Pharma office in Switzerland/iStock, Denis Linene
CSL Vifor (formerly known as Vifor Pharma) has proposed a comprehensive multi-channel communications campaign to address allegations of anti-competitive conduct against competing intravenous pharmaceutical products.
The proposal, submitted to the European Commission last week, comes after the European Commission announced in June 2022 that Pharmacosmos's iron-deficiency drug Monopher (ferric derisomaltose) was subject to a “misleading communication campaign”. This was submitted in response to the launch of a formal investigation into Pharma. CSL Vifor's intravenous treatment Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose).
At the time, the EC said there was evidence that Vifor may have been spreading misinformation about the safety of Monofar “over many years.” Vifor Pharma's campaign primarily targets healthcare workers, which may have reduced the use of his Monofer in the European Economic Area.
According to the EC, its “preliminary view” is that Vifor's actions could indeed restrict market competition and “constitute an abuse of a dominant position.”
CSL Vifor's proposal includes a comprehensive, multichannel information campaign designed to reverse the effects of potentially misleading messages about Monofer's safety profile. The company has committed to sending clear messages through email, mail, and in-person meetings, as well as publishing these messages on its website and in leading medical journals.
Pharmacosmos and other third-party players will also be permitted to use Vifor's communications for use with healthcare professionals.
Vifor also conducted a 10-year promotional and communication effort across the European Economic Area about Monophor's safety profile, using information not available from the drug's own product documentation or controlled direct trade. I promised not. Clinical trial.
Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical company states that these commitments “do not constitute an admission that CSL Vifor agrees with the concerns expressed by the European Commission and that CSL Vifor or its affiliates violate EU competition law.” It does not constitute an admission that there is a
The EC is currently seeking comments from all interested parties on Vifor's proposal and has the option of making it legally binding on Vifor.
If a pharmaceutical company violates its commitments, the EC can impose fines of up to 10% of global sales without proving antitrust violations.
Tristan Manalac is an independent science writer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Contact him on LinkedIn or email tristan@tristanmanalac.com or tristan.manalac@biospace.com.
