Medicines Australia reviews code of conduct
This article was originally published in Scrip
Medicines Australia, the industry association, has begun a review of its code of conduct, inviting public submissions and comments from over 200 organisations.
The 215-page code is designed to establish standards for companies marketing prescription products; sections within the code include guidance on product information, promotional material, company representatives, sponsorship, relationships with the general public and healthcare professionals, and code administration and sanctions.
The review will also discuss principles of patient safety, rational use of medicines, appropriate dissemination of information about products, and the role of industry in complementing the practice of medicine and pharmacy, Medicines Australia chief executive Ian Chalmers said.
Medicines Australia chairman Will Delaat will chair the panel reviewing the code. Stakeholder consultations and drafting processes will take place and are expected to take up to a year, before a final consideration of the draft and a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for authorisation.
The code of conduct is reviewed every three years. Public submissions are being accepted via the Medicines Australia website.