11:43 AM EDT, 07/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) was publicly reprimanded Friday by industry regulators in the UK for not disclosing payments amounting to roughly 7.8 million pounds ($10 million) within a three-year period.

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, or PMCPA, also said Novo Nordisk ( NVO ), Novartis ( NVS ) and Pfizer ( PFE ) had breached the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry and brought discredit upon, and reduced confidence in, the industry. The code is administered by the PMCPA.

The three companies along with Otsuka will be named in advertisements for breaches of the ABPI Code, scheduled to appear in the BMJ on July 13 and the Nursing Standard on July 25, according to the PMCPA.

The regulators' reprimand followed Novo Nordisk's ( NVO ) voluntary admission to the body about undisclosed payments to more than 150 organizations between 2020 and 2022, the self-regulatory body said.

Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) said it had conducted internal investigations regarding the payments as part of a review of its compliance systems.

"These payments are for legitimate activities but had been incorrectly categorised in finance systems as a result of human error," the company said in a statement to MT Newswires, adding that it accepted the regulators' decision.

The PMCPA also said Novartis ( NVS ) breached the ABPI Code for failing to provide up-to-date prescribing information regarding hypertension drug Entresto, while Pfizer ( PFE ) breached the code for promoting an unlicensed vaccine on social media.

Novartis ( NVS ) expressed regret over the breach. "We continually review internal policies across our organization to ensure adherence to UK compliance regulations and remain committed to being a responsible partner for patients and the healthcare system," the company said in statement to MT Newswires.

Pfizer ( PFE ) did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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