SLCPI launches Best Practices Code

The Sri Lanka of Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) released its updated Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices at the BMICH recently.

The revised Code, which is version 3, was presented at a formal ceremony, which was attended by Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, who was Chief Guest.  Also present were pharmaceutical industry representatives, officials from the Ministry of Health and the media.

Speaking at the ceremony, SLCPI President Vish Govindasamy said: “Providing healthcare needs to ensure the well-being of patients is the fundamental focus of the pharmaceutical industry. Innovation, sharing of knowledge on latest developments and information on availability, play a key role in servicing the medical and related communities. It’s fundamental that the prescription and recommendations are made ethically with the patients’ needs in mind.”

SLCPI is a broad alliance comprising of manufacturers, importers, marketers, wholesalers and retailers. The integrity of healthcare providers is the core of a trusted healthcare industry and SLCPI has taken the initiative from the late 1980s to establish a code of ethics to the industry in order to maintain the highest standards possible to act in an ethical and professional manner. The 2012 updated version 3, takes that commitment to a higher level to ensure the industry’s conformance to the pledge.

The latest version is based on seven high-level guiding principles for good practice. The healthcare and well-being of patients are the first priority for pharmaceutical companies; and they will conform to high standards of quality, safety and efficacy as determined by regulatory authorities; pharmaceutical companies’ interactions with stakeholders must at all times be ethical, appropriate and professional.

Nothing should be offered or provided by a company in a manner or on conditions that would have an inappropriate influence; pharmaceutical companies are responsible for providing accurate, balanced, and scientifically valid data on products; promotion must be ethical, accurate, balanced and must not be misleading.

Information in promotional materials must support proper assessment of the risks and benefits of the product and its appropriate use; pharmaceutical companies will respect the privacy and personal information of patients; pharmaceutical companies should adhere to both the spirit and the letter of applicable industry codes. To achieve this, pharmaceutical companies will ensure that all relevant personnel are appropriately trained.

The new Code introduces a new section, addressing the issues raised by the pharmaceutical industry’s use of healthcare professionals and to train all their employees in a manner appropriate to their role.

The SLCPI President said: “Our Code continues to prohibit pre-approval promotional activities for medicines, company-sponsored entertainment at events, and providing or offering personal gifts to healthcare professionals. The rules governing standards for promotional practices remain unchanged, including the rules on substantiation of promotion, printed materials, reminder advertisements, electronic materials, events involving foreign travel, appropriate venues, hospitality, sponsorship and guests.”

Govindasamy also urged all those who are in the pharmaceutical industry but not in the SLCPI to find ways to also keep to the Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices. He said that this was vital since it had been found that there were some who were not in the Chamber who were deviating from these best practices. He urged the industry and the industry partners to make their best efforts to implement and conduct themselves to the letter and the spirit of this code.