IFPMA issues press release on new marketing code

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) issued a recent press release on their new marketing code which became effective January 1, 2007:

The new Code, whose applicability extends to every country and is required of all IFPMA members, imposes even stricter and clearer requirements on pharmaceutical companies, to ensure the ethical promotion of their products to health care professionals.

IFPMA Director General Dr. Harvey E. Bale said: “The updated provisions of our new Code reflect the industry’s concern to underscore that its life-saving products are promoted in an ethical manner. They apply in every country around the world, and we have taken particular care to prepare member associations and companies for the advent of the new Code; indeed, we started communicating it to them back in June of last year, to ensure they would have adequate time to prepare for its stricter provisions regarding international events, company sponsorship of health care professionals, the provision of hospitality and entertainment, as well as its more precise definitions of acceptable gifts.”

Click here for the press release and click here for the English version of the new code. Will this new code make it easier to comply with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support of CME when CME activities take place in non-U.S. countries?