MA welcomes ACCC’s decision on interim authorisation while it awaits Code Edition 18 decision

Medicines Australia (MA) has today welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) decision to grant interim authorisation for Code Edition 17.

The interim authorisation will allow the Medicines Australia’s Code of Conduct Edition 17 to continue to operate until a final decision on the authorisation of Code Edition 18 is reached.

“Medicines Australia welcomes the ACCC’s recognition that the Code delivers significant public benefits by setting a high standard of ethical conduct for the prescription medicines industry,” Mr James said.

Medicines Australia CEO, Tim James, said MA will continue to work with the ACCC to achieve authorisation of Code Edition 18 early in the New Year.

“After years of extensive consultation with industry, consumer groups and medical groups, Medicines Australia has proposed a model that considerably increases transparency in line with community expectations.

“The proposed new transparency model in Code Edition 18 requires Medicines Australia member companies to identify doctors by name and the payments they receive where permission is granted. Medicines Australia consulted extensively with consumer groups and other stakeholders in developing its proposed transparency model.

“It is based on models emerging in Europe, rather than the United States, and our member companies are keen to work together with healthcare professionals to lead the way on transparency.

“The fact is that Medicines Australia’s members are leading the way on this in the Australian health sector and we want to work in partnership with healthcare professionals, medical groups, consumers groups, other industry sectors and the broader community to deliver a new era of transparency to the Australian community.”

-ENDS-

Contact Person:

Alexia Vlahos
Phone: (02) 6122 8503
Email: Alexia.Vlahos@medicinesaustralia.com.au