Medical advertising firm, GlaxoSmithKline, denies claims over medical advertising

A Melbourne-based medical advertising firm is facing fresh allegations of using fraudulent medical claims to increase the prices of branded pharmaceutical products.

Key points:The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is looking into Glaxos claims about how it was marketing its own drugs to consumersGlaxos has been accused of misleading consumers by promoting its own productsGlaxo’s CEO, John Mackenzie, is under pressure from the public over his response to the claimsA report from a medical research group has accused the Australian-based pharmaceutical giant of misleading the public about its effectiveness.

The independent Australia-based Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) has said it is investigating claims that Glaxocans own brand drugs are better than generic versions.

The Australian Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (AIPos) said the allegations are “deeply concerning” and it would be conducting a full inquiry.

The allegations are based on a research paper Glaxon, a British pharmaceutical company, released in 2013.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, found that the use of Glaxoxan and Glaxacillin, two generics of antibiotics, was associated with a reduction in antibiotic-associated pneumonia.

However, the study also found that those taking Glaxazolam, a drug used to treat acute appendicitis, had a greater risk of developing a serious complication, such as sepsis, which can be fatal.

The ASA has asked GlaxoS to explain how it used the research to make its own branded drugs available for purchase.

It has previously received a number of complaints from patients who have claimed they were charged more than $400 for a single dose of a generic version of the antibiotic.

Glaxon has been forced to pay back $100,000 in payments it made to consumers who had bought branded drugs through the company’s online pharmacy.

A spokesperson for Glaxopax, the Australian pharmaceutical company GlaxOptic, said it was not responsible for any pricing and would take a “thorough and independent look” into the allegations.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations and are working with ASA to understand the extent of the matter,” the spokesperson said.

“While we are unable to comment on specific allegations, we will be taking a thorough and independent approach to our compliance and regulation work in the area of prescription drugs.”

A spokeswoman for the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said she was “shocked” and “appalled” by the claims.

“These allegations are serious and we are reviewing them urgently,” AMA national secretary, Michelle Clements, said.