Consultation on proposals to amend the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry 2012

Press Release 12 May 2012

The proposed amendments result from changes to the Code of Practice of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and to UK law.

As a member of IFPMA, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is obliged to bring its Code into line with that of IFPMA. UK law relating to medicines is currently being amended and consolidated in The Human Medicines Regulations 2012. The new regulations are expected to be published in June and made law in early July.

The proposals have been sent to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the British Medical Association (BMA), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) as required by the Constitution and Procedure. They have also been sent to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

It is anticipated that final proposals will come before the ABPI Meeting on 11 June 2012 with a view to approval by member companies. If approved, the new Code of Practice would come into effect on 1 July 2012 but with a transitional period before becoming fully operative on 1 November 2012.

The proposals are the subject of public consultation and comments must be submitted to hsimmonds@pmcpa.org.uk as soon as possible and by no later than Thursday 24 May.

Notes to Editors:

For more information please contact: Vicky Edgecombe, 020 7747 8884, mobile 07920 863650.

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA; www.pmcpa.org.uk) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) on 1 January 1993 to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry at arm's length from the ABPI itself.