Both the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals must take
responsibility for ensuring that their relationships remain ethical and
professional (Key opinion leaders, 21 June 2008).
The activities of pharmaceutical companies are covered by the
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice
for the Pharmaceutical Industry which reflects and extends beyond UK law.
Self regulation under the ABPI Code is supported by the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Whilst the industry has a
legitimate right to promote medicines to health professionals this has to
be done responsibility within the robust self regulatory framework
provided by the ABPI Code. The availability of accurate information is
vital to the appropriate use of medicines.
The 2008 edition of the Code comes into effect on 1 July and for the
first time has a separate clause setting out requirements for
pharmaceutical companies employing health professionals as consultants.
It includes the need for a written contract.
Transparency is a key requirement and under the newly introduced
requirements companies are strongly encouraged to include in contracts an
obligation that the health professional declares that they are a
consultant to the company when relevant.
These newly introduced requirements come from The European Federation
of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) Code on the
Promotion of Prescription-Only Medicines to, and Interactions with,
Healthcare Professionals. They have to be implemented by national
associations throughout Europe by no later than 1 July 2008.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot use health professionals to present
information/material that would be in breach of the Code if the company
itself presented the same information.
Anyone with specific concerns about the activities of pharmaceutical
companies should contact the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice
Authority (PMCPA) which administers the Code at arm’s length from the
ABPI. Copies of the 2008 Code together with advice and guidance are
available at www.pmcpa.org.uk.
Rapid Response:
It takes two to tango
Both the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals must take responsibility for ensuring that their relationships remain ethical and professional (Key opinion leaders, 21 June 2008).
The activities of pharmaceutical companies are covered by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry which reflects and extends beyond UK law. Self regulation under the ABPI Code is supported by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Whilst the industry has a legitimate right to promote medicines to health professionals this has to be done responsibility within the robust self regulatory framework provided by the ABPI Code. The availability of accurate information is vital to the appropriate use of medicines.
The 2008 edition of the Code comes into effect on 1 July and for the first time has a separate clause setting out requirements for pharmaceutical companies employing health professionals as consultants. It includes the need for a written contract.
Transparency is a key requirement and under the newly introduced requirements companies are strongly encouraged to include in contracts an obligation that the health professional declares that they are a consultant to the company when relevant.
These newly introduced requirements come from The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) Code on the Promotion of Prescription-Only Medicines to, and Interactions with, Healthcare Professionals. They have to be implemented by national associations throughout Europe by no later than 1 July 2008.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot use health professionals to present information/material that would be in breach of the Code if the company itself presented the same information.
Anyone with specific concerns about the activities of pharmaceutical companies should contact the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) which administers the Code at arm’s length from the ABPI. Copies of the 2008 Code together with advice and guidance are available at www.pmcpa.org.uk.
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests