Voluntary codes

The regulations also address the need to ensure that drug information provided by pharmaceutical firms is truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated. As such, it must be consistent with the indications for use and the established performance and limitations. In Europe, the directives do not impose a specific requirement to review advertising or promotional material before it is released. Acceptable standards may be achieved via voluntary codes of practice and self-regulation. However, national authorities must monitor such material and should have the power to act where the need arises. In the U S, the F DA must vet advertising and promotional material before it is released. 

Standards Universal production standards, assured through accreditation and inspection No universal standards. Voluntary codes of conduct and self-regula-tion becoming more common... 

The UK National Bedding Federation introduced a voluntary code which required its members only to manufacture mattresses which resisted a smouldering cigarette on its own and when covered by an insulating, non-combustible fibre pad (17). This test is now defined within BS 6807(8) while BS 7175(18) refers to bedding and pillows. 

Not part of Consumer Protection Act but applied by UK industry as a voluntary code of practice. This will be incorporated into the relevant British Standard and used to define "fitness for purpose."... 

Concern about food additives became so significant that food producers managed to seduce consumers with the prominent labels proclaiming free from artificial flavours or no artificial colouring . Such additives were blamed by some as being responsible for criminal, disruptive or violent behaviour of children. Food labelling, either under voluntary codes or by law, was introduced in response to such concerns. In Europe, the adoption of E numbers to identify commonly used food additives supposedly helped consumers make informed choices (or possibly helped alleviate some public fears). 

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). 

The Norwegian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (LMI) has a voluntary code of conduct that promotes the practice of fair and ethical marketing. 

Voluntary codes of practice have been in use in many MS for many years. For example, in the United Kingdom, the ABPI Code of Practice is applicable to prescription medicines, and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) Code of Standards of Advertising Practice for over-the-counter medicines. 

Voluntary codes are not legally enforceable in the same way as a statute. However, it is a condition of membership of the ABPI that the pharmaceutical companies abide by the Code. In addition, the Code contains a number of sanctions that may be imposed against member companies. Complaints are made to the PMCPA, and if it is decided that... 

Major Industrial Accident Councii of Canada 600-265 Carling Avenue Ottowa, Ontario, Canada K1S 2E1. Adopted AlChE/CCPS as voluntary code. 

Chemical products have to be fit for their intended purpose and may be covered by mandatory or advisory product standards. They will certainly be subject to civil legislation on product liability. Industry association voluntary codes of practice may apply, or... 

Voluntary codes are not legally enforceable in the same way as a statute. However, such codes are an important part of the overall picture, as they play a part in setting the standards of behavior for the pharmaceutical company and may be used as evidence in civil cases. The ABPI code of practice on promotion of prescription medicine ( the Code ) is operated by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), which was established by the ABPI as an independent authority. It is a condition of membership of the ABPI that the pharmaceutical companies abide by the Code. In addition, the Code contains a number of sanctions that may be imposed against member companies. Complaints are made to the PMCPA, and if it is decided that there has been a breach of the Code, the company concerned has 10 working days to provide a written undertaking to discontinue the promotional activity in question, with an adminis-... 

Response to Macondo to enact an SMS standard based on existing voluntary code (still prescriptive). 

Many of the issues discussed above are addressed in the framework of medicines legislation and in codes such as the Declaration of Helsinki. The pharmaceutical industry also has some voluntary codes, e.g. in relation to advertising practices. 

Webb, K., 2004. Understanding the voluntary eode phenomenon. In Webb, K. (Ed.), Voluntary Codes Private Govemanee, the Pubhe Interest, and Innovation. Carleton University, Ottawa, pp. 3-32. 

Webb, K., Morrison, A., 12-13 September 1996. The legal aspeets of voluntary codes. Paper presented at the Exploring Voluntary Codes in the Marketplaee Symposium, Ottawa. 

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