Understanding the APEC Mexico City Principles for Business Ethics in Biopharmaceutical Sector
The Mexico City Principles emphasize ethical interactions within the biopharmaceutical sector to ensure patient-centric decision-making. Drafted by experts from 14 APEC economies, these principles prioritize integrity, independence, transparency, accountability, and legitimate intent. Implementation is supported by APEC bodies and funding to uphold ethical standards across various aspects of biopharmaceutical business practices.
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Understanding the APEC Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector
The Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector Recognize that appropriate and ethical interactions help ensure medical decisions are made in the best interests of patients Calls upon the entire biopharmaceutical sector and eco-system to embrace aligned standards for ethical interactions, including: Companies and industry associations Healthcare professionals and organizations Government regulators and anti- corruption enforcement authorities 2
The Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector Drafted by 36 Expert Working Group Members from industry, government, civil society and academia from 14 APEC Economies in September 2011 APEC multi-year funding awarded to implement The Mexico City Principles Implementation supported by: APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum APEC Health Working Group APEC Anti-Corruption & Transparency Working Group APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) 3
The Mexico City Principles Biopharmaceutical Sector Codes of Business Ethics Healthcare and Patient Focus means everything we do is intended to benefit patients. Integrity means dealing ethically, honestly, and respectfully in everything we do. Independence means to respect the need of autonomous decision-making of all parties, free from improper influence. Legitimate intent means everything we do is for the right reasons, is lawful, and aligns with the spirit and values of these Principles. Transparency means a general willingness to be open about our actions while respecting legitimate commercial sensitivities and intellectual property rights. Accountability means a willingness to be responsible for our actions and interactions.
The Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector The Principles cover: 10. Consultant and Speaker Arrangements 11. Compliance Procedures and Responsibilities 12. Conduct and Training of Company Representatives 13. Public Sector Relations and Procurement 14. Clinical Trials 15. Company Donations for Charitable Purposes 16. Patient Organizations 17. Adherence to Principles Interactions with Healthcare Professionals Promotional Information and Activities Safety of Medicines Symposia and Congresses Informational Presentations by Company Representatives Entertainment Educational Items and Gifts Support for Continuing Medical Education Samples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 5
Interactions with HCPs Principle The relationships between healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies are intended to improve patient care Purpose of these interactions: Informing healthcare professionals about benefits and risks of medicines Providing scientific and educational information and Supporting medical research and education. 6
Interactions with HCPs Relationships must be: Ethical and professional With NO improper influence To encourage the appropriate use of medicines In connection with these interactions: Appropriate meals can be offered as a business necessity (not part of entertainment or recreational event) Always held in an appropriate venue No entertainment 7
Promotional Information and Activities Principles A company must not promote a product for use until it has received marketing approval in that economy Promotion must be consistent with local marketing approval Must conform with all local laws and regulations Promotional information should be clear, legible, accurate, balanced, fair, objective and sufficiently complete 8
Symposia and Congresses Principle: The purpose and focus of all events should be to provide scientific or educational information and/or to inform healthcare professionals about products Events includes symposia, congresses and other promotional, scientific or professional meetings for healthcare professionals All events should be held in an appropriate venue for education Hospitality should be incidental to the purpose of the event, moderate and reasonable as judged by local standards and Limited to participants of the event and not their guest/s. 9
Educational Items and Gifts Principle No personal gifts Payments in cash must not be provided or offered to healthcare professionals Also prohibited are cash equivalents (such as gift certificates) and any gifts for the personal benefit of healthcare professionals (NO sporting or entertainment tickets, electronic items etc.) It is appropriate where permitted by law to offer items designed primarily for the education of patients or health care professional (must be modest in value and not to be used outside of professional responsibilities) 10
Samples Principle Free samples of a medicine may be supplied to healthcare professionals authorized to prescribe that product in order to enhance patient care Companies should have adequate systems of control and accountability for samples: including requirements for medical representatives in possession of samples Should not be used as payment for service or used as an inappropriate inducement 11
Consultant and Speaker Arrangements Principle Healthcare professionals may be engaged and remunerated by companies as consultants and advisors. Their expenses (travel and accommodation, meal expenses ) can also be met Services they may provide include: Speaking at and/or chairing meetings and events Involvement in medical/scientific studies and, clinical trials Providing training services Participation at advisory board meetings and Participation in market research The compensation for the services must be reasonable and reflect the fair market value of the services provided 12
Compliance Procedures and Responsibilities Principle Companies must establish and maintain internal compliance procedures to ensure compliance with these Principles, relevant codes and applicable laws Companies : Must also have procedures to review and monitor their activities and materials. Don t forget to retain adequate records of the reviews and monitoring Should also ensure that relevant employees/agents receive training appropriate to their role Should provide updated or additional training in all of the areas needed and assess periodically and Should take appropriate action when employees fail to comply 13
Clinical trials Principle Clinical trials and scientific research will be conducted with the intent to develop bona fide scientific knowledge that will benefit patients and advance science and medicine Clinical Trials should: Not be used as inappropriate inducements and Be undertaken in an ethical manner, without undue influence by competitors 14
Donations for Charitable Purposes Principle Companies recognize their responsibility to support worthwhile activities. Donations: Should ensure that donations are not undertaken for product promotional reasons Should be directed to organisations and be documented Should have the appropriate acknowledgement by recipient and Should not be an incentive to prescribe, recommend or purchase a product 15
Patientorganizations Principle The autonomy and independence of patient organizations must be respected Patient organizations are not-for-profit institutions that represent primarily the interests and needs of patients, their families and caregivers Support must not be conditional on promotion of a medicine All interactions with patient organizations must be ethical 16
Public Sector Relationships and Procurement Principle Ethical and professional public sector relationships during government procurement. Companies Should not attempt to exert inappropriate influence Must provide accurate and balanced information to government and Should ensure that all interactions comply with government ethics rules or procedures 17
Adherence to the Mexico City Principles Principle All Companies should adopt procedures to assure adherence to these Principles Principle Healthcare Professionals, Government officials and Stakeholders should respect these Principles and adopt consistent standards if applicable 18
The Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector In addition to companies and industry associations, the Principles also cover implementation by healthcare professional organizations and governments 19
