Code of Ethical Business Practice: Open letter to the healthcare community

  • Posted on 25.01.2017

Code of Ethical Business Practice: Open letter to the healthcare community

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The new MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice (the “Code”) came in force on the 1st January 2017 and replaces the Eucomed Code of Ethical Business Practices and the EDMA Code of Ethics. The Code allows for an additional year to phase out direct sponsorship by the entire medtech industry but this may be a good time to take stock of the situation; inquire if there are still grey areas and what are the opportunities going forward, therefore this letter.

Over the last 2-3 years we tried through different means, such as the creation of an advisory group; bilateral discussions, panel discussions, etc to ensure that our partners, i.e. Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), Hospitals, Scientific Societies and Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) are aware of the Code developments, but in order to get everyone on the same page, we thought to provide a short summary of  what lies ahead for 2017:

 1st January 2017 –  the Code came into force

The Code became binding for MedTech Europe Corporate Members. For Healthcare Organisations (HCOs) and Professional Congress Organisers that means that these companies have started to apply stricter rules when providing Educational Grants.

— Throughout 2017 – Outreach to European HCPs, medical societies and PCOs will continue

The double objective of this outreach is for MedTech Europe to clarify any grey areas that you may still have on the new MTE Code and to ensure that going forward, the collaboration between the healthcare community and industry continues to the best interest of the patient. 

One event, where discussions, formal and informal, within the Healthcare Community will take place is the Global MedTech Compliance Conference (GMTCC) on 3-4th May in Amsterdam. Please consider this as an official invitation to attend!

— Spring 2017 –  Ethical MedTech Website

Presently, the Ethical MedTech website is being revamped and the new website should be operational in Q2 2017. Besides the updated Conference Vetting System (CVS), the Ethical MedTech website will shelter the following new initiatives:

1. The new platform Transparent MedTech, dedicated to the disclosure requirements included in the MTE Code.

2. Ethical Charter which aims at ensuring that PCO/HCO seeking financial support for their Third Party Educational Events from MedTech Europe Corporate Members are “Trusted Partners”, i.e. are:

  • Knowledgeable of the provisions of MedTech Europe Code;
  • Organising their educational events in accordance with the Code’s rules;
  • Applying the highest ethical standards in their interaction with industry.

— 1st January 2018 – Phase out of direct sponsorship of HCPs

On 1st January 2018, Member Companies will not be able to support individual HCPs anymore and will be supporting independent medical education exclusively via Educational Grants.

This map has been prepared by MedTech Europe for illustrative purposes only. While MedTech Europe considers the information herein to be reliable it makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness. 

— Information Package is available!

In order to provide as much information, MedTech Europe also made available an information package (Updated July 2017) for HCOs and HCPs. At present, the “Infopack” contains the following:

  • MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice, included updated guidance by means of Q&As
  • Leaflets for HCOs in English, French, Spanish and German (other languages should be developed over the course of the year)
  • Leaflets for HCPS in English, French, Spanish and German (other languages should be developed over the course of the year)
  • Information slide deck for HCOs/PCOs
  • Summary of the MedTech Europe Code
  • Educational Grant Agreement – Template
  • Educational Grant Request Form – Template

MedTech Europe strives to make the transition to the new Code as smooth as possible and limit its impact to continue the essential collaboration with the healthcare community. As such, should you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

 

This blog is part of the GMTCC 2017  blog series. You can follow the conversation under #GMTCC and find more details and at gmtcc.com

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