19 February, 2019
The Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries Code of Conduct (the "SAPI Code") has been amended to provide clearer guidelines on the sponsorship of healthcare professionals to attend third party educational events. SAPI is an organisation that represents the interests of 42 pharmaceutical companies ("Member Companies"), and the code provides guidance for these Member Companies in efforts to promote a high standard of ethical conduct.
While the 2018 version of the code was published in January 2018, the particular guidelines regarding third party educational events (covered in article 7.2.4) only came into effect on 1 January 2019, so as to give companies time to adapt to the changes.
Third party educational events are defined in the SAPI Code as any scientific conference, professional programme, or event sponsored or conducted by a third party or independent professional association, such as events of an educational, scientific or policy-making nature or events for the purpose of promoting medical advancement or delivery of effective healthcare.
Member Companies may support a healthcare professional ("HCP") to attend such third party events, through providing sponsorships to hospitals, medical associations and independent medical associations (referred to in the SAPI Code as "Organisers"). However, such sponsorship must be provided in accordance with certain requirements. Some of the key requirements are as follows:
- The support provided to the HCP must preserve the independence of medical education. Sponsorship must not be conditional upon any obligation by the HCP to recommend, prescribe, dispense, purchase, supply, administer or promote Member Companies' products.
- Sponsorship funding provided must be proportionate to the overall costs of the event.
- The event agenda must not include standalone entertainment, side trips, or other inappropriate activities, and the venue must be appropriate and conducive to the scientific and educational objectives of the event.
- Organisers must independently control and take responsibility for the selection of programme content, faculty, educational methods and materials.
- Member Companies must not offer or directly pay for, or reimburse, the expenses of any HCP to attend the event. Sponsorship must not inappropriately benefit any HCP or provide for any private side trips, recreation, entertainment or lavish meals and accommodation.
- Member Companies must not select or influence the selection of any HCPs to attend the event, be it directly or indirectly. All HCPs should be independently selected by a decision making committee, professional body or medical association whereby selection criteria and processes are legitimate.
- Member Companies cannot make registration, accommodation and/or travel arrangements for any attending HCP. Payment of any sponsorship must be paid only to the Organisers.
Sponsorships can be made through a written offer by Member Companies or a request for support by the Organisers. In the case of the latter, sufficient information must be given to allow Member Companies to evaluate the scientific and educational merit of the event and the appropriateness of the venue and agenda.
While the SAPI Code does not have the force of law, acceptance and active observance of the SAPI code is considered mandatory for all Member Companies.
More information about the revisions made to the SAPI code can be found here, and the SAPI Code in full can be found here.
For further information, please contact:
Andy Leck, Principal, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow
andy.leck@bakermckenzie.com
