The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals was released in July of 2008 and went into effect January of 2009. This is an update to the 2002 Code.

Several questions have come into the AHP Resource Center asking how these changes will affect them.

Press Release : “ PhRMA Code reinforces commitment to responsible interactions with healthcare professionals.”

Full Text

Excerpts

Section 13, p. 13
“No grants, scholarships, subsides, support, consulting contracts, or educational or practice related items should be provided or offered to a healthcare professional in exchange for prescribing products or for a commitment to continue subscribing products. Nothing should be offered or provided ina mannor or on conditions that would interfere with the independence of a healthcare professional’s prescribing practices.”

What follows are excerpts from the PhRMA Code, Questions and Answers section , p. 17 – 31.

Q.19
A company is asked to fund a CME program as a “platinum” level supporter. This level of support includes the opportunity for the company to directly sponsor a lunch at the event. May the company become a “platinum” level supporter?

Answer: It is appropriate under the Code for a company to provide funding to a CME provider, which the provider can use at its discretion to provide meals for all participants. However, a company should not control how the sponsor spends the funding, and a company should not sponsor or host a meal directly at a CME program. A company may fund a CME program at a particular level of support designated by the CME provider and be publicized for providing that level of support, as long as the company does not separately promote, publicize or otherwise take advantage of any option to be identified as the sponsor of a meal.

Q. 20
A national specialty society is holding its three-day annual conference, which includes business meetings, entertainment, and a half day of educational programs for which physicians may receive CME credit. May a company sponsor a reception or lunch at the conference?

Answer: The Code provides that a company should not provide or sponsor meals directly at CME events. However, at third party conferences or professional meetings at which CME activities only a part of the conference or meeting, a company may sponsor a meal or reception at the conference if it is permitted by the group holding the conference or meeting and is clearly separate from the CME portions of the program. In such cases, any meals or receptions sponsored by a company should be modest and clearly subordinate to the amount of time spent at other aspects of the meeting. In addition, companies should be mindful of standards set forth by ACCME and other accrediting bodies that may apply in these circumstances.

Q. 22
Under the code, may a company make a charitable contribution such as purchasing a table at a fundraising dinner or a foursome slot at a fundraising golf tournament?

Answer: Yes, but the company may not invite healthcare professionals to attend the event at its expense. The company may use some or all of its allotment for its own employees, and return any unused portion to the sponsoring organization to use as it wishes.