Transparency and impeccable professionalism: the critical values of IML's code of ethics

Since 2012, IML, which represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry, has adopted a code of conduct for its members. This commitment ensures transparency in the promotion of medicines, interactions with healthcare professionals and organisations, and patient organisations.

This LinkedIn article highlights some of our members' commitments.

1.?Promotion of medicines

Any promotional activity should be identified to ensure everything is clear. It should be targeted only at health professionals who are expected to need or be interested in the information shared. We would also like to ask that a clear distinction be made between promotion and clinical trials or post-marketing studies so that the former is only used for scientific purposes and not as a disguised promotion.

2. Interactions with Health Professionals and Health Professionals' Organisations

No gifts of any kind are allowed?(even of minimal value). Informational and educational material is also highly restricted and is only permitted if it is of negligible importance, has a direct link to the medical and pharmaceutical art and has a positive effect on patient care.?

Some concrete examples:

A pen with a member's logo: Prohibited

A stethoscope: Prohibited

A medical book on a pathology: allowed if its financial value is negligible.

In the same spirit,?any form of grant, sponsorship and even provision of services for humanitarian purposes?must be treated with the transparency and not be directed to any individual.?

It is interesting to note that the?provision of samples?is also?heavily regulated. This is only possible if the professionals entitled to prescribe the medicinal product request to receive samples in writing and for the sole purpose of learning more about the medicinal product and only for the period necessary for this purpose.?

In the case of?scientific events, any sponsorship must be recognisable, and the hospitality offered to health professionals must respect the limits clearly defined by the code.?

For example, in Luxembourg, the maximum cost for lunch is 45 euros all-inclusive, and for dinner, 90 euros all-inclusive, and it must follow scientific information of 1 or 2 hours minimum.

3. Relations with Patient Organisations

Relations with Patient organisations should be based on transparency, mutual respect, and independence.? Where support for patient organisations may be helpful or necessary, the cooperation of several member companies is highly recommended. Also, in this case, any form of gift is prohibited—hospitality, which in almost all cases must take place in Luxembourg, in appropriate locations.

Any donations and grants must be made to support medical care, research, or education in the health sector.

4. The concept of transparency is central

All direct and indirect transfers of value towards Health Professionals and Health Professionals' Organisations must be published on the IML website. Transfers of value include donations or grants, contributions related to scientific events, registration fees and travel costs related to these events, sponsorship, and consultancy fees.?

Finally, regarding the?provisions concerning non-compliance with the code, any natural or legal person who finds that the rules of the code are not being respected may address a complaint to the General Secretariat of the IML, which, as a mediator, will have to find a solution within 90 days (15 in case of emergency).

It is important to note that the code of ethics is an integral part of the IML statutes and that?adherence to the code is a prerequisite for becoming a member of the association.

Sonia Franck , Secretary-General of IML

#transparency #codeofethics #codeofconduct #IML #EFPIA mimi de ruyck Didier Ambroise Reginald Decraene Frederic Clais Ann Adriaensen Gregory Willocq Pierre BOYER Michel Geelhand Vincent Depret Sébastien Collet Gilles Poncé Elisa Dolci Julie BONHOMME Marie-Charlotte Destrée

About IML :?

IML represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies operating in Luxembourg. The association enjoys full membership of 61 companies*, committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that improve health and the quality of life. IML is part of EFPIA, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations?

* ABBVIE, ALCON, ALEXION PHARMA, ALK-ABELLó, ALLERGAN, ALNYLAM, AMGEN, ASTELLAS PHARMA, ASTRAZENECA, BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA, BAYER, BEPHARBEL MANUFACTURING, BESINS HEALTHCARE, BIOGEN,??BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, CHIESI, DAIICHI SANKYO, DR. FALK PHARMA, EISAI, ELI LILLY, FARCO-PHARMA, FERRING, GALAPAGOS, GALDERMA, GEDEON RICHTER, GILEAD SCIENCES, GLAXOSMITHKLINE, GRüNENTHAL HORUS PHARMA BELUX, INCYTE BIOSCIENCES, IPSEN, JANSSEN-CILAG,?JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, KYOWA KIRIN PHARMA, LEO PHARMA, LUNDBECK, MENARINI, MERCK, MSD, NORGINE, NOVARTIS PHARMA, NOVO NORDISK PHARMA, ORGANON, OTSUKA PHARMA SCANDINAVIA AB, PFIZER, PIERRE FABRE, ROCHE, SANOFI, SERVIER, SWEDISH ORPHAN BIOVITRUM, TAKEDA, TEVA PHARMA, THERABEL PHARMA, TILMAN, UCB, VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS, VIFOR PHARMA, WILL-PHARMA, ZAMBON