What is the aim of the Code?

The aim of the Code is to ensure that the promotion of medicines which can be prescribed to health professionals and to other relevant decision makers and other activities, many of which are non-promotional, are carried out within a robust framework to support high quality patient care and to ensure that pharmaceutical companies operate in a responsible, ethical and professional manner. Whilst the industry has a legitimate right to promote medicines to health professionals, the Code recognises and seeks to achieve a balance between the needs of patients, health professionals and the public, bearing in mind the political and social environment within which the industry operates and the statutory controls governing medicines.