Five changes to look out for in the new Code

It seems a long time since February when FPM members met to discuss the proposed changes to the ABPI Code for 2024, as part of the process of public consultation. But the new Code finally appeared last week and it was pleasing to see that many of FPM’s comments had been taken into account. Here’s a countdown of the top five changes to look out for.

Code graphic

Number five is a new requirement for companies to document the rationale for providing support to a health professional to attend an event or meeting. Many companies already do this so they can justify that support is provided for legitimate reasons, but it’s now mandatory. Good to see that the originally proposed and more onerous requirement which FPM objected to (to conduct an ‘educational needs assessment’ ) was not adopted.

Fourth in the countdown is an increase in the permitted cost of a patient support item (an item to benefit patient care, given to a health professional for them to pass on to a patient). This has been raised from £10 to £15 to reflect general price increases which potentially increases the scope for what companies can provide.

The new abridged complaints procedure comes in at number three. Cases with allegations of only minor Code breaches which look likely to be upheld and are accepted by the company can be dealt with by a new, shorter process, with a 50% reduction in the admin fee for companies. Hopes are that this will help the PMCPA to reduce its current backlog of cases, most of which are taking more than a year to get through the system.

At number two we have reinforced and more specific wording about high standards. The vague but all-embracing ‘High standards must be maintained at all times’ has gone. The Code now specifies that companies must maintain high standards at all times, should have policies to communicate those standards and should provide appropriate training. And wording that previously applied only to sales representatives about the personal need to maintain a high standard of ethical conduct now applies to all company personnel. As an industry that asks patients to trust us with their health, high standards are non-negotiable.

In top position is the biggest change to the Code this year, the introduction of the QR Code to link to the prescribing information (PI) on promotional materials. The QR Code can be used on printed items and also on digital items where a health professional is shown the material in person (for example, on a promotional presentation at a face to face meeting). The change will help to ensure that health professionals have access to the up-to-date prescribing information and will avoid the cost and waste of resources for companies having to reprint materials whenever the prescribing information changes.

The 2024 Code came into effect on October 1st with the usual three month ‘grace period’ during which companies won’t be found in breach of the new changes. You can find a copy here: https://www.pmcpa.org.uk/the-code/

Or, if you have a second device to hand (an assumption that the Code doesn’t permit for use of QR Codes!) you can scan the QR Code below:

Code QR

About the author:

Dr McCullough is a pharmaceutical physician and trainer with more than 30 years of experience of working with the ABPI Code of Practice. She provides Code consultancy services to a range of clients, signatory development and assessment, and Code training. She has been FPM’s Director of Training and Development since February 2022.