Zeneca Zomig

Executive Summary

Zeneca journal ad comparing migraine therapy zolmitriptan to Glaxo Wellcome's Imitrex (sumatriptan) is in breach of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry's Code of Practice, the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority panel finds in its most recent report on advertising reviews. The ad is headed by the statement "WOW!" followed by, "In migraine, Zomig 2.5 mg is significantly more effective than sumatriptan 50 mg for headache response at two and four hours." The data show that Zomig and Imitrex response rates at two and four hours were 67% vs. 64% and 83% vs. 81%, respectively. The panel accepted that Zomig data showed a statistically significant greater response than Imitrex, which "might be clinically relevant." However, use of word "WOW" implies that readers would notice "large clinical difference" between Zomig and Imitrex