Many of the promotional items currently given to doctors will be outlawed if current proposals to amend the ABPI Code of Practice are approved.

The proposals, which have been agreed by the ABPI Board of Management, are currently available for comment on the PMCPA website. The consultation period will close on Friday 13 August 2010.

If the proposals are accepted, many previously used promotional items will no longer be allowed, including mugs, stationery, computer accessories, items for use in the clinic, surgery or treatment room, and items for use in the home or car. It is also proposed that promotional aids must no longer bear the name of a medicine.

Under the new proposals, pharma companies may provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with items to pass on to patients as part of a formal patient support programme, or items that will improve patient care, but “they must not be provided to individuals for their personal benefit”. Inexpensive pads and pens bearing the company name may only be provided to HCPs attending educational meetings.

Regarding joint working, it is proposed that the Code reads: “Joint working between one or more pharmaceutical companies and health authorities and trusts and the like is acceptable provided that this is carried out in a manner compatible with the Code. Joint working must always benefit patients.

“A formal written agreement must be in place and an executive summary of the joint working agreement must be made publicly available before arrangements are implemented.”

There are also proposed changes to Clause 23 regarding payments to patient organisations and to Clause 13 to require publication of the outcome of non-interventional studies.

Final proposals for member companies to approve are expected before the ABPI Half-Yearly General Meeting on 2 November. If approved, the new Code of Practice will come into effect on 1 January 2011, but with a transitional period before becoming fully operative on 1 May 2011.