In an effort to track PhRMA and reduce conflicts of interest AdvaMed released a major update of its Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals.
The new code will be effective July 1, 2009.
The revised Code further clarifies and distinguishes between appropriate and inappropriate activity between health care professionals and representatives of AdvaMed member companies.
It also presents non-member companies with an opportunity to adopt the AdvaMed Code’s principles and unite industry in addressing common issues in a consistent manner.
AdvaMed’s revised Code covers some new areas, including:
- A new Code Compliance section under which a list of companies that certify their adoption of the Code will be available for public review on AdvaMed’s Web site.
- An explicit prohibition on providing entertainment or recreation to Health Care Professionals (HCPs). Additionally, the changes prohibit gifts of any type, including all non-educational branded promotional items, regardless of value.
- Guidelines that allow for companies to enter into royalty arrangements with Health Care Providers in exchange for substantial contributions that improve medical technologies.
- A new section addressing Evaluation and Demonstration Products which sets forth appropriate parameters under which companies may provide products intended to educate both HCPs and patients on newer or improved medical technologies.
- An expanded section addressing the provision of objective reimbursement, coverage and health economics information to HCPs in order to improve patient access to medical technologies.
- Additionally, AdvaMed has revised current Code sections to provide greater clarity and rigor in areas such as consulting agreements, company-conducted training and education for HCPs, and research and educational grants, among other key areas.
“Nothing is more important for our industry than to maintain the public trust and the integrity of its products and services,” said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of AdvaMed.
“Just as medical technology companies are naturally focused on the need for continuous improvement in their product development, our industry’s Code of Ethics should also be dynamic and responsive to change,” said Paul A. LaViolette of Boston Scientific Corporation.
“AdvaMed’s revised Code addresses the realities of today’s marketplace and underscores our industry’s commitment to ethical business practices.” LaViolette chairs the AdvaMed Board’s Special Committee on the Code.
The Attorneys at Hyman, Phelps and McNamara, PC have put together a comprehensive summary of the revised AdvaMed Code.
They point out that the revised Code states that the company may provide support for conferences sponsored by national, regional, or specialty medical associations and conferences sponsored by accredited continuing medical education (CME) providers. However, under the revised Code, grand
rounds are no longer considered third-party educational conferences.
These revisions signal that the device industry is taking the issue of conflict of interest seriously. Going into 2009, we have seen tremendous changes in our industry and moves like these will clearly resolve many of the issues addressed by the public and politicians.
Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals 7-01-09
Hyman, Phelps and McNamara, PC Summary of the revised AdvaMed Code