Singapore – “Organisers” Redefined Under The Singapore Association Of Pharmaceutical Industries Code Of Conduct.

The Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries Code of Conduct (the "SAPI Code") has been amended to provide clearer guidelines on the definition of the word “Organisers” in article 7.4.2 (Third Party Educational Events). SAPI is an organisation that represents the interests of 42 pharmaceutical companies ("Member Companies"), and the SAPI Code provides guidance for these Member Companies in efforts to promote a high standard of ethical conduct.

 

The amended guidelines pertain to article 7.2.4 ii on the sponsorship of healthcare professionals (“HCP”) attending third party educational events. They were developed by SAPI’s Ethics & Business Integrity Committee, accepted at the annual general meeting held on 25 June 2019, and came into effect on 1 July 2019.

 

Previously, article 7.2.4 ii defined “Organisers” of third party educational events which Member Companies were allowed to support as “hospitals, medical associations / institutions and independent professional associations.” This definition has since been amended to remove the word “institutions” and replace the word “associations” with “bodies” as follows:

 

“Member Companies may support such Third Party Educational Events through sponsorships to hospitals, medical associations and independent professional bodies (collectively “Organisers”) to support individual HCP’s attendance at the event as delegates…”

 

In this regard, an “independent professional body” is defined as a legitimate third party company / organisation that is not affiliated to any pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals (“HCPs”), clinics, medical associations and hospitals; and utilises a rules-based platform to administer industry sponsorships of HCPs to third party educational events in a fair and independent manner. Such professional bodies must also exercise governance to demonstrate independence.

 

The above revisions on the definition of “Organisers” were enacted following feedback from SAPI members and other stakeholders on the same and are hoped to provide greater clarity in the interpretation of the SAPI Code.

 

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.

 

The updated SAPI Code (1 July 2019) is yet to be published online. However, any updates in respect of the SAPI Code may be found here.