Review of Medicines Australia Code of Conduct

Medicines Australia has commenced a Review of its Code of Conduct and invites public submissions.

The Medicines Australia Code of Conduct sets the standards of conduct for the activities of companies when engaged in the promotion of prescription products used under medical supervision as permitted by Australian legislation.

Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw encouraged health stakeholders, healthcare professionals, consumers and members of the public to contribute to the review.

“The great strength of the Code over 50 years has been its careful ongoing evolution conducted in consultation with stakeholders and the wider community,” Dr Shaw said.

“I encourage anyone with an interest in the Code of Conduct to make a submission to the current review. The next edition of the Code will be informed by those submissions.”

Medicines Australia Board member Jim Cain will chair the panel given responsibility to review the existing Code and draft the next edition.

Stakeholder consultations and the drafting processes are expected to take up to a year. Further opportunities to consider the redrafted Code will be extended to stakeholders and industry before it is submitted to the ACCC for authorisation.

Dr Shaw said Medicines Australia had written to more than 200 stakeholders inviting their comment and submissions to the Code of Conduct review.

“It is important for the public to have confidence in the relationships between pharmaceutical companies and doctors,” Dr Shaw said.

“That is why we need a strong Code of Conduct that reflects current community sentiment.”

The closing date for submissions is Friday 4 November 2011.

Submissions to the Code of Conduct review can be made to: secretarycodecommittee@medicinesaustralia.com.au

–ENDS–

Contact Person:

Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au