Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12043

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

ABPI revises UK Code Of Practice
PMLive.com 2007 Nov 19
http://www.pmlive.com/index.cfm?showArticle=1&ArticleID=6237

Full text:

The Association of British the Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has revealed it will revise its Code of Practice, following the publication of a European-wide code on relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and patient organisations.

The ABPI code oversees the activities of UK-based pharmaceutical companies and their employees. It is also required to include all the provisions of the code administered by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

The ABPI and other national trade associations in Europe have been cooperating with EFPIA to develop and draft the new code. Most of the new provisions are already covered by the existing ABPI code, but those covering aspects of companies’ relationships with patient organisations, must incorporate the new EFPIA rules.

The deadline for the implementation of the new changes is 1 July 2008. For example, companies will now have to include a short description of the nature of the support provided to patient organisations. Also, indirect financial backing and indirect, non-financial support will also need to be declared.

Nigel Brooksby, President of the ABPI, said: “Our code is one of the most rigorous in the world, and it is reviewed every two to three years to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. As well as taking on board the comparatively small number of changes that the new European patient code makes necessary, we shall be looking at including any suggested alterations identified during the life of the current code.”