Rules on patient groups to change
pharmafile | November 16, 2007 | News story | Medical Communications |Â Â ethicsÂ
UK pharma companies have until next July to conform to new rules aimed at making their relations with patient groups more transparent.
Companies will have to declare the indirect, non-financial support they provide, and not just their financial backing as at present, under revisions to the ABPI's Code of Practice.
It is only two years since the ABPI overhauled the Code in response to sustained criticism of industry sales and marketing practices, but further changes are needed to bring it into line with new European rules.
ABPI president Nigel Brooksby 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."
The revisions are necessary because the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has updated its code, which as an EFPIA member the ABPI has to incorporate within its own rules.
The new provisions must be implemented by 1 July 2008, but the ABPI said its own Code of Practice already contained most of them.
EFPIA said it wants to demonstrate pharma's resolve to 'tighten up ethical standards and enhance transparency', and has set out new standards in areas like transparency, non-promotion, editorial control and diversified funding of patient organisations.
EFPIA president and chief executive of Bayer HealthCare Arthur Higgins said: "Through their action, patient organisations bring hope to millions of people across Europe. However they often depend solely on industry support.
"We would also strongly recommend that European authorities help them diversify their sources of funding."
All the pharmaceutical companies represented by EFPIA will have to comply with the new rule and failure to do so will lead to sanctions, Higgins warned.
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