ABPI Code of Practice

Medical bodies back ABPI Code changes

pharmafile | March 4, 2011 | News story | Medical Communications ABPI, ABPI Code of Practice, Code of Practice, GMC, INFORCE, Nottingham, Royal College of Physicians, industry relations, trust 

Leading medical organisations have signed a joint declaration backing the forthcoming changes to UK pharma’s self-regulatory Code of Practice.

In a statement, heavyweights such as the General Medical Council and Royal College of Physicians join the ABPI in looking forward to an era of greater transparency in dealings between the pharma sector and NHS.

The ABPI says this is “a strong signal of the positive and evolving working relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals”.

The new ABPI Code of Practice was agreed last year and will take effect from May, when its additions include a clause banning pharma companies from providing branded promotional aids to doctors.

The second amendment requires firms to declare each year from 2013 the total amount they pay to doctors and others for services such as conference speeches, along with the number of consultants they employ.

ABPI director of trust and reputation Andrew Powrie-Smith admitted that the changes alone would not improve relations between pharma and health professionals.

But he added: “They are strong indicators of an industry willing to work in new ways, to embrace greater transparency and for the science behind our medicines as well as the medicine’s place in the patient pathway to be the focus of our interactions with clinicians.”

The ABPI says that promotional memorabilia such as pens, pads and mugs are viewed “negatively” and seen as “a barrier to trust”.

RCP president Sir Richard Thompson said the changes “will help restore patient confidence in medical independence and increase trust”.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of doctors’ regulator the GMC, agreed that the changes represent “an important step in the right direction”.

The joint statement will be sent to all UK GPs as part of an ABPI mission to build up its self-appointed role as “a trusted partner in healthcare” and continue its focus on industry relations.

The organisation cites the INFORCE joint working project on chronic respiratory diseases between NHS Nottingham and five pharma companies as an example of the new-style working relationships it wants to see fostered.

Adam Hill

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