Code a boost to transparency

Pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals share an important partnership. We collaborate on clinical research, share knowledge and support education to ensure that medicines are constantly improving and are used safely and appropriately by doctors and their patients.

Our member companies are committed to transparency in their interactions with medical professionals and regularly publicly report on them. The Medicines Australia Code of Conduct is the national standard for industry self-regulation and is leading the way on transparency.

This Code has been authorised by the ACCC

The innovative Australian medicines industry is putting patients first by showing the value of industry partnerships and taking the lead within our wider eco-system to boost transparency.

The reports, published today, provide clear information about payments to a medical professional for sharing their expertise and knowledge with pharmaceutical companies or leading medical education for other healthcare professionals.

In reporting this, MA hopes consumers will be able to better understand the critical interactions that their medical professional and other healthcare professionals have with the innovative medicines industry.

The reports, which are now available from each Medicines Australia member company’s website, make it easier to understand how important ongoing education is to healthcare professionals to acquire the appropriate understanding and knowledge of these innovative therapies.

This collaboration is also critical to the development of new medicines and better patient health. The innovative pharmaceutical industry relies on the advice of independent healthcare professionals to help deliver effective new life-changing treatments to Australians.

Medicines Australia and its member companies are proud of their role in developing the code, which ensures the medicines industry leads the health sector in transparency. Our high standards of ethical conduct and transparency will help drive further improvements to Australia’s health care system.

The Australian Code is part of an international movement to improved transparency through greater reporting measures.

Further information about the transparency requirements of the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct and hyperlinks to each member company’s reports are available here

MA encourages consumers to talk to their doctors if they would like to know more about their relationships with various companies and the benefits to patient health.

CONTACT: Natalie Wimmer – Communications Manager – 0450 728 660