The ethical exchange of scientific information on prescription medicines is vital to the pharmaceutical industry’s mission of helping patients through the research and development of new and innovative medicines. Ethical interactions help ensure that healthcare professionals have access to the right information they need, and that all patients have access to the right medicines at the right time.
Industry relationships with healthcare professionals (HCPs) must support, and be consistent with, the professional responsibilities that they have for their patients. Pharmaceutical companies must, on the other hand, maintain high ethical standards in their interactions with HCPs, Patient Groups, and Patient Organizations. They must also comply with applicable legal, regulatory, professional requirements and international guidelines on both face-to-face and virtual interactions.
Since 1993, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) has had its “Code of Practice” to ensure that medical decisions are made in the best interests of patients. The Code is a requirement for membership of all 40 members of PHAP. Through the years, PHAP Members have adhered to the Code of Practice to benefit the patients and the healthcare community. They firmly believe that unethical interactions hurt patients and weaken the healthcare system.
The PHAP Code of Practice fully adopted the Department of Health’s Administrative Order (AO) 2015-0053 Implementing Guidelines on the Promotion and Marketing of Prescription Products and Medical Devices. The AO aims to guarantee that ethical interactions between industry and other stakeholders must be guided by the principles embodied in 2011 APEC Mexico City and Kuala Lumpur Principles, whose adoption in the Philippines is what PHAP vigorously campaigned for. Despite strong objections from certain parties unwilling to change the status quo, using threats detrimental to those pushing for their passage, these Principles were enshrined into Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration regulations, and the country was honored with the APEC Lighthouse Award.
The APEC Mexico City Principles were endorsed by heads of states of APEC Member economies, including the Philippines. The guiding principles are Healthcare and Patient Focus, Integrity, Independence, Legitimate Intent, Transparency, Accountability, Appropriateness, and Advancement.
The following PHAP Code of Practice Guiding Principles set out basic standards that apply to the conduct of all Member Companies and their agents:
• The healthcare and well-being of patients are the first priority for pharmaceutical products and medical devices companies;
• Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies will conform to high standards of quality, safety and efficacy as determined by regulatory authorities;
• Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies’ interactions with stakeholders must at all times be ethical, appropriate, and professional. Nothing should be offered or provided by a company in a manner or on conditions that would have an inappropriate influence to ensure the independence of the HCP;
• Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies are responsible for providing accurate, balanced, and scientifically valid data on products;
• Promotion must be ethical, accurate, balanced and must not be misleading. Information in promotional materials must support proper assessment of the risks and benefits of the product and its appropriate use;
• Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies will respect the privacy of healthcare professionals and patients’ personal information obtained during face-to-face and virtual engagements; and,
• All clinical trials and scientific research sponsored or supported by companies will be conducted with the intent to develop knowledge that will benefit patients and advance science and medicine. Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies are committed to the transparency of industry-sponsored clinical trials in patients.
PHAP Member Companies should adhere to both the spirit and the letter of this Code and ensure that all relevant personnel are appropriately trained.
The PHAP Code of Practice covers not only member companies but also local subsidiaries of member companies belonging to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). The Code of Practice also aligns itself with the Joint Guidance on Virtual International Medical Congresses Impacted by COVID-19, the 2020 Amended Code of Practice of the IFPMA.
Furthermore, it incorporates local requirements and practices in relation to registration, labeling, and scientific claims approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration. PHAP and its members are committed to educational activities that benefit patients, as well as programs and collaborations that enhance the practice of medicine.
PHAP, through its Code of Practice, seeks to preserve the independence of the decisions taken by healthcare professionals in prescribing medicines to patients. Through the promotion of this Code, we seek to ensure that ethical promotional practices are established and at par with international standards worldwide.
PHAP takes pride with its member pharmaceutical companies for adhering to the Code of Practice and for complying with pertinent laws and regulations both here and abroad to benefit those whom we serve — Filipino patients.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). PHAP represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
