Pharma

Novartis in court bid to block commissioner from releasing inspection information

Drug giant claims disclosing findings will have a ‘chilling effect’ on relationship between regulator and firms, and that it will not benefit the public

Swiss-headquartered Novartis argued that the records relating to inspection reports should be refused in full. Picture: Getty

Drug giant Novartis has taken two High Court cases against the Information Commissioner seeking to block the release of what it claims is confidential information contained within inspection reports.

The Swiss-headquartered company initiated two appeals in recent weeks arising from a decision by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to grant the release of certain information.

The records sought, which were the subject of two Freedom of Information (FOI) requests last year, related to inspection ...