Advice on advisory boards
It is acceptable for companies to arrange advisory board meetings and the like and to pay health professionals and others for advice on subjects relevant to their products. Nonetheless the arrangements for such meetings have to comply with the Code.
As with promotional meetings, the requirement that hospitality be of an appropriate standard, as set out in Clause 19 of the Code, has to be followed. The meeting should be held in an appropriate venue conducive to the purpose of the meeting.
To be considered a legitimate advisory board the choice and number of participants should stand up to independent scrutiny; each should be chosen according to their expertise such that they will be able to contribute meaningfully to the purpose and expected outcomes of the meeting. The number of participants at a meeting should be limited so as to allow active participation by all. The agenda should allow adequate time for discussion. The number of meetings and the number of participants at each should be driven by need and not the invitees’ willingness to attend. Invitations to participate in an advisory board meeting should state the purpose of the meeting, the expected advisory role and the amount of work to be undertaken.
If an honorarium is offered it should be made clear that it is a payment for such work and advice. Honoraria must be commensurate with the time and effort involved and the professional status of the recipients.
