The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) released updates to its voluntary Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals on July 10. The new guidelines take effect January 2009.
In addition to prohibiting small gifts and reminder items, the revised Code:Prohibits company sales representatives from providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals, but allows them to provide occasional meals in healthcare professionals’ offices in conjunction with informational presentations
- Prohibits company sales representatives from providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals, but allows them to provide occasional meals in healthcare professionals’ offices in conjunction with informational presentations
- Includes new provisions requiring companies to ensure their representatives are sufficiently trained about applicable laws, regulations, and industry codes of practice
- Provides that each company will state its intentions to abide by the Code and that company CEOs and compliance officers will certify each year that they have processes in place to comply
- Includes more detailed standards regarding the independence of continuing medical education
- Provides additional guidance for speaking and consulting arrangements with healthcare professionals
Challenges
- Tracking aggregate spending is one of the biggest challenges for pharmaceutical companies
- Some companies do not have a system that will accurately record aggregate spending across the organization.
- Training employees is another. It’s going to be a challenge getting everyone on the same page.
Benefits
- The new guidelines could help the industry regain public trust after “just getting shelled” and constantly being accused of wrongdoing. In addition, some
- Companies will be relieved they can reduce their spending on traditional marketing activities.
October 25, 2008 at 11:48 pm |
How do other reps feel this will change their calls?
Forum at http://www.thepharmarep.com
January 22, 2009 at 6:30 pm |
This is stupid — I think you are trying to take the bribing out of the medical industry. But I think you are taking the relationships out of business.
— this translates into business loss by the people who provide promotional merchandise.
June 4, 2009 at 9:40 pm |
I have a rep that would like to provide pillows for our infusion patients while they have there treatments. Can I accept the pillows?
June 5, 2009 at 4:39 am |
Hi Brad,
Pharma Code Revised Prohibits the following:
1. Prohibits distribution of non-educational items (such as pens, mugs and other “reminder” objects typically adorned with a company or product logo) to healthcare providers and their staff.
[Well Brad your case falls under the above mentioned law as pillows doesn't fall under the educational items category.]
2.Prohibits company sales representatives from providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals, but allows them to provide occasional meals in healthcare professionals’ offices in conjunction with informational presentations.
June 5, 2009 at 6:08 am |
Hi Brad,
I would also suggest you visit ComplianceOnline Answer section where your questions / doubts can be cleared by their existing panel of Compliance experts.
Here is the link – https://www.complianceonline.com/ecommerce/control/answersHome
Hope this helps you much better.
Regards,
Abhishek