The EFPIA Code
The EFPIA Code of Practice
The EFPIA Code constitutes the collection of ethical rules agreed by EFPIA members for the Promotion of Medicinal Products to healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the interactions with HCPs, healthcare organisations (HCOs) and patients' organisations (POs), with the intent of guaranteeing that these activities are conducted while respecting the most stringent ethical principles of professionalism and responsibility.
The EFPIA Code constitutes the collection of ethical rules agreed by EFPIA members for the Promotion of Medicinal Products to healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the interactions with HCPs, healthcare organisations (HCOs) and patients' organisations (POs), with the intent of guaranteeing that these activities are conducted while respecting the most stringent ethical principles of professionalism and responsibility.
This Code applies to all types of communication and interaction (traditional and digital).
As a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the EFPIA Code embodies the principles of the IFPMA Code and Ethos that serve to instil a culture of ethics and integrity needed to guide the industry’s interactions with the healthcare and patient community.
COVID-19: EFPIA and IFPMA-PhRMA ethical guidance
- Patients first
- Integrity
- Respect
- Transparency
In addition to maintaining the EFPIA, IFPMA, and PhRMA Codes of Practice standards in virtual settings, the 3 organisations have decided, for the first time, to jointly issue guidance on Virtual and Hybrid International Medical Congresses.
Scorecard Drinks and Meals
According to Art.10.05 of the EFPIA Code, Member Companies must not provide or offer any meal (food and beverages) to HCPs, HCOs’ members or POs’ Representatives, unless, in each case, the value of such meal does not exceed the monetary threshold set by the relevant Member Association in its National Code (following the “Host Country Principle”).
Below the Scorecard defining the threshold on Meals and Drinks of the EFPIA Member Associations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EFPIA and its members remained fully committed to EFPIA Code requirements. We have continued implementing and applying the highest ethical standards as well as applicable laws and regulations such as competition, data protection, anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation.
The EFPIA ethical principles have helped in assessing urgently the appropriateness of activities:
- Patients first
- Integrity
- Respect
- Transparency
Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted the transposition of the EFPIA Code in the national Codes and the disclosure provisions. Therefore, EFPIA has drafted guidance to extend certain time periods in relation to meeting commitments relevant to these two specific topics.
Due to the lockdown, the interactions and activities that are needed to maintain the scientific exchange, have moved to virtual to protect the health and safety of patients and healthcare professionals.
In addition to maintaining the EFPIA, IFPMA, and PhRMA Codes of Practice standards in virtual settings, the 3 organisations have decided, for the first time, to jointly issue guidance on Virtual and Hybrid International Medical Congresses.
Besides this joint guidance, EFPIA guidance includes the decision endorsed by the EFPIA members in May 2020 to prohibit the provision of meals for the healthcare professionals attending individually a virtual congress.
Annual code report
At EFPIA, the Ethics & Compliance activities are organised within the framework of the Codes Committee (composed only of the representatives from the Member Associations) and the Ethics & Compliance Committee (composed of the representatives from the Member Companies and Associations).
Based on the EFPIA Code requirements, the Codes Committee must publish an annual code report which summarises the work and activities which have taken place in connection with the implementation, development, and enforcement of the various national codes during the applicable year, based on the country reports provided by the Member Associations.
In addition to these national Code reports, EFPIA includes in this report an overview of the Ethics & Compliance activities conducted by EFPIA during the applicable year.
Other Code materials At EFPIA, the Ethics & Compliance activities are organised within the framework of the Codes Committee (composed only of the representatives from the Member Associations) and the Ethics & Compliance Committee (composed of the representatives from the Member Companies and Associations).
Based on the EFPIA Code requirements, the Codes Committee must publish an annual code report which summarises the work and activities which have taken place in connection with the implementation, development, and enforcement of the various national codes during the applicable year, based on the country reports provided by the Member Associations.
In addition to these national Code reports, EFPIA includes in this report an overview of the Ethics & Compliance activities conducted by EFPIA during the applicable year.
Scorecard Drinks and Meals
According to Art.10.05 of the EFPIA Code, Member Companies must not provide or offer any meal (food and beverages) to HCPs, HCOs’ members or POs’ Representatives, unless, in each case, the value of such meal does not exceed the monetary threshold set by the relevant Member Association in its National Code (following the “Host Country Principle”).
Below the Scorecard defining the threshold on Meals and Drinks of the EFPIA Member Associations.