The ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry 2015

From 1st January 2015 a newly updated Pharmaceutical code of practice came into force. This code is put in place to ensure that all aspects of the Pharmaceutical industry go smoothly. This will affect all those who work within the Industry in any way, this could be working in distribution or support etc. The main aim of the code is to ensure the promotion of medicines to health professionals and other relevant decision makers is carried out within a framework to support high quality patient care. It also includes requirements for interactions with health professionals. In addition it sets standards for the provision of information about prescription only medicines to the public and patients, including patient organisations. In addition to the Code there is extensive UK and European law relating to the promotion of medicines. As well as covering promotional material, it controls samples, meetings, promotional aids and the provision of medical and educational good and services. Also the outcome of risk sharing agreements, patient access schemes, joint working between the Pharmaceutical Industry and the NHS. The Pharmaceutical industry considers that provided the requirements of the Code of Practice are met, working with patients and patient organisations can bring significant public health benefits. These requirements also apply to working with all user groups, such as disability associations, relative and carer associations and consumer associations. In summary, companies must ensure that their materials are appropriate, factual, fair and capable of substantiation and that all other activities are appropriate and reasonable.

The Main Points covered in the Pharmaceutical Code are:

Promotional Material Samples Meetings Promotional aids The Provision of medical and educational good and services The outcome of sharing agreements Patient access schemes Joint working between the Pharmaceutical Industry and the NHS The conduct of non-interventional studies, The use of health professionals and other relevant decision makers as consultants Transfers of value to health professionals, other relevant decision makers and healthcare organisations.

The Code also sets standards relating to the provision of information to patients and the public as well as relationships with patient groups.

The United Kingdom’s pharmaceutical industry is dedicated to benefiting patients across the country by operating professionally and ethically at all times. Ensuring that medicine is used and distributed appropriately and supporting the provision of high quality healthcare at all times. To demonstrate this commitment over 50 years ago, in October 1958, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), decided that certain activities should be covered in detail and therefore agreed on the first Pharmaceutical Code of Practice.

The Code recognises and attempts to achieve a balance between the needs of patients, healthcare professionals and the public, keeping in mind the political and social environment within which the industry operates and the statutory controls governing medicines. The availability of precise up-to-date information is vital to the use of medicines. Pharmaceutical companies must ensure that enquiries about their medicines are answered appropriately in a timely manner. Strong support is given to the Code by the industry with all companies devoting considerable resources to ensure that their activities comply with it. Any complaint made against a company under the Code is regarded as a serious matter both by that company and by the industry as a whole. Sanctions are applied against a company ruled in breach of the Code. Companies must ensure that all relevant personnel are appropriately trained in the requirements of the Code and must have strong operating procedures under which all materials and activities covered by the Code are reviewed to ensure compliance both with the Code and with the appropriate legal requirements. For more information and the full updated code of practice please see the link below PMCPA Code of Practice 2015.pdf