Healthy Skepticism Library item: 16107

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: report

Barnard J, Lai R, Robson A
Increasing Transparency in Pharmaceutical Marketing Communications: the new code from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
: KeywordPharma 2008 Feb
http://www.keywordpharma.com/selection5/

Abstract:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The representative body of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), issued the latest revision to its code of practice in late 2007. The EFPIA code, introduced in 1992 and last revised in 2004, does not act as a pan-European code, but is implemented through the national codes of its member organisations.The updating of these national codes in line with the new EFPIA guidelines will be completed by the end of July 2008.

Prompted by a desire to answer growing criticism of the pharmaceutical industry with a robust and effective system of self-regulation, the new EFPIA code aims to foster an environment where the public can be confident that choices regarding the medicines they are prescribed are based on individual merits and healthcare needs. As such, the need for greater transparency in pharmaceutical marketing communications is the main take-home message from the new code, which comprises revisions and clarifications designed to tighten existing regulations.

Despite this, certain aspects of the code remain open to interpretation, while other areas allow for flexibility in implementation.

This Expert Review delivers a line-by-line summary of all revisions, both major and minor, to the EFPIA code, and offers insight into the likely implications for the pharmaceutical industry and its customers. It outlines the background and principles of the new code, looks at how it will work in practice and provides guidance on its implementation.

The Review also includes details of an entirely new, separate EFPIA code, designed to regulate industry relationships with patient organisations. In both cases, the latest EFPIA guidelines underline an increased desire for clarity and transparency in how the industry interacts with its healthcare customers.

CONTENTS
• About the authors
• Why is there a new EFPIA code?
• What are the key changes?
• Which code applies and when?
• Sections of the code that have not changed significantly
• Changes to the code in detail
• Regulation of industry relationships with patient organisations
• Guidance on information on prescription-only medicines for patients and the public
• How does the EFPIA code work?
• References
• Further reading