Prescription Medicines Promotion

Greek code of ethics published

The promotion of prescription-only medicines in Greece must not cause a reduction of confidence in the pharmaceutical industry, according to the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies' (SFEE) new code of practice.

The SFEE Code of Practice on the Promotion of Prescription Only Medicines is an amended version of a 2002 code and came into force on 1 January 2006^1,2. It applies to companies promoting prescription-only medicines to healthcare professionals as well as any information for the public on general health issues. The Greek code complies with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations' Code of Practice on the Promotion of Medicines.

The code covers the promotion of medicines to persons qualified to prescribe or supply medicinal products; visits by medical sales representatives to qualified prescribers; the supply of samples; the sponsorship of meetings and scientific conferences; and the provision of information to the general public. Among other measures, companies must:

• ensure that promotional activities and materials do not mislead by distortion, exaggeration, unjustified emphasis, omission or any other means;
• ensure that the promotion encourages the rational use of medicinal products;
• ensure that their marketing does not cause discredit to or reduce consumer confidence in the pharmaceutical industry or a specific pharmaceutical company;
• submit a copy of all promotional material, accompanied by the marketing authorisation and the summary of product characteristics, to the National Organization for Medicines (EOF);
• have special permission from the EOF for the production, import and free distribution of medical samples;
• not distribute samples that are bigger than the smallest marketed package;
• only distribute promotional gifts to healthcare professionals if they are of negligible value and are directly connected with the profession of the recipient. Their value must not exceed €20 per item;
• the highest amount of sponsorship per pharmaceutical company, per scientific event may not exceed €20,000 plus hospitality expenses; and
• hospitality offered to healthcare professionals must be reasonable in level and strictly restricted to the main purpose of the event. As a general rule, hospitality granted must not exceed the level which healthcare professionals would be ready to pay, should they be bearing the cost themselves.

Implementation of the code

In Greece there are two industry association committees that are responsible for controlling the implementation of the code: the First Degree Committee of the Code and the Second Degree Committee for the Implementation of the Code. The first degree committee provides counsel, guidance and training about the implementation of the code as well as the procedure for the judging of reports or complaints on infringements of the code.

The second degree committee deals with reports and complaints upon application for referral filed by the interested parties, provided that a decision of the first degree committee has already been issued. The second degree committee may refer a company to the disciplinary council of the SFEE, which may refuse the company further membership of the association.

References

1. Code of Practice on the Promotion of Prescription Only Medicinal Products, SFEE, January 2006, www.sfee.gr/category/english/47/0/3/1/index.htm

2. Personal communication, SFEE, 13 January 2006