E X C E L L E N C E I N G L O B A L H E A L T H C A R E C O N G R E S S E S

Medical CongressesInteractions between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Medical Societies

50th ICCA Congress

Leipzig, Germany 22 - 26 October 2011

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Ethical Promotion of Pharmaceutical Products

• The pharmaceutical industry has an obligation to conduct and sponsor clinical research as well as ensure that the results of those studies are properly communicated to the healthcare profession with integrity in a timely, clear and accurate manner

• Healthcare Professionals or HCPs are those who prescribe, administer, provide or purchase medicinal products

• Doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses…

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Medical Congresses & Meetings

• Medical congresses are an important part of continuing medical education and are indispensable for the dissemination of knowledge and exchange of experience.

• Promotional activities which are conducted during medical congresses – such as commercial exhibitions, the distribution of product information, etc – should properly be dealt with by national and international medical advertising regulations

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Self-regulation

• IFPMA (www.ifpma.org)

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations’ Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (1981 and ulterior revisions)

• 2007 revision of IFPMA Code

Established stricter instructions regarding hospitality and gifts extended to healthcare professionals

Set limits on pharmaceutical company sponsorship of international events

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IFPMA

• A global non-profit NGO representing the pharmaceutical, biotech and vaccine research-based sectors

• Members• 26 international companies• 44 national & regional industry associations

• National Codes issued by national industry associations may need to take into account the local legal & regulatory systems governing pharmaceuticals and provide more strict definition and implementation of the IFPMA Code locally

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EFPIA HCP Code

• The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries & Associations HCP Code (Article 9)

“Any practice that might create confusion about the real scientific and educational purpose of scientific events

sponsored by industry or to which industry sponsors HCPs should not be tolerated.”

• Its Leadership Statement (June 2010) applies to participation/sponsorship of congresses, meetings & events as well as exhibitions

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EFPIA Pre-Assessment of Events

• On-line event pre-assessment tool to assist member companies’ decision making in regards to their sponsorship of multinational events taking place in Europe

• Based on an evaluation of:• Scientific programme schedule/structure proving its genuine

scientific purpose • Location and venue• Hospitality provided• Other activities (such as Exhibition, entertainment…)• Accompanying persons

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IPCAA

• Abides by IFPMA and EFPIA Codes and has its own Healthcare Congress Guidelines

• Its Mission

"To ensure the most beneficial outcome for all parties involved in medical congresses, through the development of common and

consistent congress policies and through recognised partnerships with medical societies."

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Impact on Congress Sponsorship and Activities

• High ethical standards from all stakeholders involved in the organisation of Congresses and other Medical Meetings

• Greater transparency• Clear separation of the scientific and social programmes on

websites or other printed material• Avoid confusion and create undue perception of any possible

conflict of interest• Ensure that exhibitions do not overshadow the scientific purpose of

the event

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Concretely?

• No locations or venues recognised for their luxury, leisure or entertainment

• No luxurious or extravagant accommodation• No sponsorship of social events such as Presidents’ Dinners,

Gala dinners or receptions, city tours or other touristic related events

• No accompanying persons allowed as participants to the event• Less extravagant exhibitions