Starpharma temporarily halts UK sales of nasal spray over promotional claims

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Australian company Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has announced that the sale of its COVID-19 nasal spray in the UK has been temporarily halted following correspondence from this UK regulator related to promotional claims.

According to the company, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) wrote to partner LloydsPharmacy regarding the promotional claims, including references to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, the interrelationship between these product claims and their categorisation.

The company said the correspondence does not question or relate to the safety or quality of VIRALEZE but to allowable promotional claims.

"While Starpharma disagrees with the MHRA’s position, Starpharma and LloydsPharmacy have agreed to temporarily pause sales of VIRALEZE in the UK during this time," said the company.

"Starpharma obtained expert regulatory advice and input from an EU regulatory body in relation to the product and its claims. This temporary pause in promotion and sales is specific to the UK and does not impact other markets, including in Europe and India where the product is registered for sale," added the company.