Transparency must be improved
December 21, 2012
MEDICINES Australia has two
years to iron out wrinkles in its
Code of Conduct relating to
improve transparency of payments
and sponsorship to individual
healthcare professionals, according
to the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission.
The statement coincides with the
ACCC’s two-year authorisation of
edition 17 of the Medicines
Australia Code of Conduct (PD
Breaking News).
Medicines Australia had hoped
that the ACCC would grant the code
a five year authorisation period,
however the ACCC settled on two
years so that the industry body
could improve transparency of
payments and sponsorship made
by pharmaceutical companies to
individual healthcare professionals
in an amended Code
implemented by early 2015.
“Improving transparency around
payments to individual doctors will
play an important role in promoting
community confidence in the
integrity of these payments to
healthcare professionals,” ACCC
Commissioner Sarah Court said.
Meanwhile the 17th edition of
the Code incorporates
amendments that are intended to:
“increase transparency around the
interactions between
pharmaceutical companies and
healthcare professionals, third
parties and patients - including
requiring member companies to
report on the sponsorship of
healthcare professionals to attend
or speak at educational meetings,
and on any payments made to
healthcare professionals to act on
advisory boards or to provide
consultancy services”.
Other changes in the 17th edition
include: an increase in the level of
restriction on member companies
regarding their interactions with
healthcare professionals - including
absolutely banning brand name
reminders and the provision of
prizes to healthcare professionals
following competitions; and
increased clarity regarding the
application of the Code.
See www.accc.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 21 Dec 12To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 21 Dec 12
