IFPMA code

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) code is intended to provide minimum standards and universal principles for ethical marketing conduct on which national codes can be based. It is used as an operational code only in those countries (e.g. less developed countries) where no other code exists. In practice the self-regulatory national codes in developed countries are usually stricter and more detailed than the IFPMA code. 

An important feature of the code is its universal applicability. All companies that are members of an affiliated trade association (e.g. ABPI [Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries], LEEM [Les enterprises du medicament or French Pharmaceutical Companies Association], LIF [Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry], Interpharma) are required to apply the minimum standards of the code wherever they do business. Companies entering into licensing and agency agreements are expected to require their licensees and agents to respect the provisions of the IFPMA code. 

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) is the representative body of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe. Its members are the national industry associations of over 20 countries producing pharmaceuticals in Europe. 

The EFPIA code outlines the minimum standards that must be incorporated into the national codes of its member associations, e.g. ABPI, LEEM, LIF, Interpharma. This code has been revised to make it consistent with European Council Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended in 2004. National member associations were required to revise their codes to meet the minimum standards of the EFPIA by the end of 2005. 

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Where a journal is produced in the UK but intended for distribution solely to overseas countries local requirements and/or the requirements of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices should be borne in mind. 

IFPMA Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations)... 

In the same way that the medical profession has recognized the need to provide its members with guidance on their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry, the pharmaceutical industry has realized that its employees need guidance as well. The industry is concerned that its employees may sully the pharmaceutical industry s reputation. The industry does not want their interactions with healthcare professionals to be perceived as inappropriate by patients or the public at large (PhRMA 2002). In order to avoid being overrun with the detailed nature of voluntary codes at the level of national associations, it is perhaps most instructive to start with the general principles contained in the IFPMA Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (IFPMA 2000). 

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations. 2000. IFPMA Code of Marketing Practices. Available at http //www.ifpma.org/News/news market.aspx [Accessed November 16, 2005]. 

In consultation with the industry, marketing communication policy guidelines are being drawn which are in line with the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IFPMA) code. 

It also contains some information on the regulatory framework in these countries. There is some information about Mexico, but the self-regulatory code could not be found. In addition there are some overarching international codes of conduct, such as the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) code, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). 

The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) adheres to the principles of the IFPMA code. 

For the purpose of self-discipline, there is a mechanism under which IFPMA deals with complaints of alleged breaches of the Code. When a complaint is received by the IFPMA Secretariat, a summary is required to be sent to the company that is the subject of the complaint, the member association where that company has its headquarters, and the member association (if any) of the country in which the alleged breach has occurred. The relevant member associations are asked to consult the company and report back to IFPMA the results of their investigation of the case. An IFPMA decision is communicated to the complainant, the company, and the respective member associations. Where it is determined that there has been a breach of the Code, information identifying the... 

Additional self-regulatory industry associations include Canada s research-based pharmaceutical companies which have a code of marketing practice based on the principles of the IFPMA, called the Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) this administers the Canada Code of Advertising Standards (ASC). It is not specific to the pharmaceutical industry but relates to advertising in general. 

The Swiss Pharmaceutical Industry has a self-regulatory code of conduct the Pharma code. This code takes into account, in particular, the codes issued by the IFPMA and the EFPIA, as well as the recommendations of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences relating to collaboration between the medical profession and the industry. In addition, the provisions of the Federal Law against Unfair Competition of 1986 must be observed. 

The IFPMA can deal with complaints of alleged breaches of the code but it is not often used because the national codes take precedence. However, in some less developed countries where there is no national code it will adjudicate in cases of complaint. 

Industry relationships with healthcare professionals must support, and be consistent with, the professional responsibilities that healthcare professionals have towards their patients. Pharmaceutical companies must maintain high ethical standards when conducting promotional activities and comply with applicable legal, regulatory and professional requirements. Through the promotion of this code, IFPMA seeks to ensure that ethical promotional practices are established worldwide. 

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations. Code of Marketing Practices, April 2006 (www.ifpma.org/pdf/IFPMA-TheCode-FinalVersion-30May2006-EN.pdf). 

Medicines Australia. Code of Conduct, 14th edn. January 2003 (www.ifpma.org/EthicalPromotion/content/pdfs/AU EN Code.pdf). 

Before the Conference participants departed, they were given a copy of the harmonised guidelines (ICH Code M4 ) on a CD-ROM. The text of the Safety Pharmacology Guideline (S7) was also on CD and Guideline Q7 was distributed in hard copy. The documents warned, however, that the texts may be subject to editorial change , and the final version will be posted on the ICH website [http //www.ifpma.org/ich7.html] and those of the FDA, EU and MHW. 

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