If you are going to contact a pharmaceutical company to either discuss a medicine, or report a suspected adverse event, to ensure that you receive complete and accurate information, please make sure that you contact the company that is the Marketing Authorisation (MA) holder (or the local/ country representative) of the medicine that you are actually using.

Often several companies will hold MAs for the same medicine, and the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) may differ. The information in a company SPC relates specifically to that company's product and it cannot be assumed that it is applicable to a product from any other company. For example the medicines may have different excipients/ formulations or licensed indications/ contraindications for use. Accessing information inappropriately may have implications for patient safety and care should be taken to confirm that the correct source is used.

Details of the Marketing Authorisation Holder are stated on the product packaging and in the Patient Information Leaflet provided with the product. Please check these details before you contact the company. You will then know that you are getting the correct information for the specific medicine.