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VIEWS & REVIEWS: Des Spence Bend it like . . . ? BMJ 2008; 336: 776 [Full text]

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It takes two to tango

Heather Simmonds   (8 April 2008)

It takes two to tango 8 April 2008
Heather Simmonds, Director Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) Send response to journal: Re: It takes two to tango	Both the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals must take responsibility for ensuring that their relationships remain ethical and professional. The activities of pharmaceutical companies are covered by the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry which reflects and extends beyond UK law. The GMC’s Good Medical Practice prohibits doctors from asking for, or accepting, any inducement, gift or hospitality that affects, or could be seen to affect, their judgement. (‘Bend it like…?’, Views and Reviews, 5 April 2008) Pharmaceutical companies can arrange advisory board meetings and pay health professionals for advice as long as the arrangements comply with the ABPI Code. To be considered a legitimate advisory board, participants should be chosen according to their expertise so that they can contribute meaningfully to the meeting. The choice and number of participants should stand up to independent scrutiny. If an honorarium is offered it should be made clear that it is a payment for work and advice and it must be commensurate with the time and effort involved. Any hospitality offered must be appropriate. Similarly payment for genuine market research is allowed. Pharmaceutical companies are not permitted to offer or provide inducements to prescribe, supply, administer, recommend, buy or sell any medicine. Nor can they pay health professionals to attend promotional meetings. The European (EFPIA) Code on the Promotion of Prescription Only Medicines to and Interactions with Healthcare Professionals includes new requirements relating to use of consultants and fees for services. These will be implemented into the UK by means of a new ABPI Code to come into operation by 1 July 2008. The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA,) which is responsible for administering the ABPI Code, has received a complaint about one of the matters mentioned in the article. The outcomes of complaints are published on the PMCPA website. Anyone with specific concerns about the activities of pharmaceutical companies should contact the PMCPA. The ABPI Code together with advice and guidance about the Code including how to make a complaint is available at www.pmcpa.org.uk. Competing interests: None declared