GROUP TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACEUTICAL GIFT GIVING

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) updated its pharmaceutical marketing practice code, creating tougher restrictions on the gifts healthcare professionals can receive, the organization announced. The updated code, which took effect Jan. 1, imposes stricter and clearer requirements on what drugmakers can give healthcare professionals, IFPMA said.

Under the new regulations, sales representatives cannot offer any financial benefit to a healthcare professional in exchange for recommending, purchasing or prescribing their products. They also cannot offer any cash, cash equivalents or personal gifts such as food baskets or CDs.

The new code also specifies restrictions on medical and scientific meetings where healthcare professionals may be guests of drugmakers. A company cannot organize or sponsor an event in a "renowned or extravagant" venue or hold the event outside the guest's home country without a logistical or security reason.

Additionally, companies cannot provide or pay for any standalone entertainment event or other leisure and social activities, such as concerts or sightseeing tours, the code says.

If the organization finds that a company has violated the restrictions, IFPMA will publicly announce the company's name and make the company sign a written agreement to end the violating practices.