Lilly slapped for Cialis press release

A code-of-conduct committee in Australia has fined Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. $60,000 for a press release that the committee said promoted its Cialis erectile-dysfunction drug directly to the public.

However, Lilly will not have to follow up with corrective ads, according to The Australian newspaper of Sydney.

Lilly told the newspaper it was disappointed by the decision and considering a response.

The fine originated from an April release that Lilly issued as it rolled out its Once-a-Day version of Cialis. In the release, Lilly cited a study it funded that showed the new version would restore “their ability to respond to spontaneous opportunities for sex.”

However, a consumer group and a university professor complained to the committee that the release amounted to promotion and not education.