Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11124

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Publication type: report

Medicines Australia Code of Conduct Annual Report 2006/2007
: Medicines Australia 2007 Aug
http://www.medicinesaustralia.com.au/pages/images/Code%20of%20Conduct%20Annual%20Report%202007.pdf

Abstract:

Summary of Complaints
This section of the Code Annual Report contains information on the source of complaints, outcomes from the determination of complaints and sanctions imposed by the Code of Conduct and Appeals Committees.

The number of complaints in 2006/2007 was 42 (27 in 2005/2006) with 55% lodged by pharmaceutical companies. Table 2 provides information on the source of complaints in 2006/2007. In 17.6% of new and finalised complaints all aspects of the complaints were found to be in breach of the Code. In 41.2% of complaints no aspect of the complaint was found to be in breach of the Code. In the remaining 41.2% of complaints the complaints were partly found in breach; that is some aspects of a complaint were found to be in breach whereas other aspects were not found in breach. Table 5 provides information on complaints considered in 2006/2007.

Appeals were lodged in relation to 12 complaints. The Appeals Committee upheld one appeal, upheld some aspects of two appeals and did not uphold any aspect in relation to nine appeals (that is, the Code Committee’s decisions were confirmed in 9 out of 12 appeals).

Notes:

Key Points (as summarized by HS member, Ken Harvey)

More new complaints received: 42 (06-07) compared to 27 (05-06).

Breaches found in 59% (06-07) compared to 67% (05-06).

Sanctions applied for breaches similar both years:

Cease: about 45%

Correction: about 20%

Fine: about 35%

Median fine range $25.000-$49,999 range (max fine $100,000-$149,999)