KEFEA: Aim is to boost credibility at European level
Transfers of value made by pharmaceutical companies involving the expenses incurred in relation to healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations are to be made public for the first time by the end of June as part of a European-wide initiative to enforce stricter self-regulation of the industry and boost transparency.
Details about the initiative were announced at a working breakfast with journalists on “Responsible Transparency – Disclosure Code –” , organised by the Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA), a member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).
KEFEA President Kyriakos Mikellis said that by the end of June in Cyprus and throughout Europe, EFPIA member companies will for the first time disclose information regarding, among other, grants to scientific organisations, consultancy fees for speeches, and payment of costs for healthcare professionals to attend medical conferences in Cyprus and abroad. They also include the cost of registration, accommodation and travel to conference venues. For information relative to Cyprus, information can be accessed through KEFEA’s website, www.kefea.org.cy, which will host links to the disclosure platform of each company.
“The first disclosure concerns activities and payments made in 2015,” added Mikellis, noting that the disclosures will be made in two ways, either by name if the healthcare professional has given his/her consent in writing, or on aggregate and anonymously, if consent has not been given.
“Our aim is to boost the legitimate relationship and cooperation between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations, boosting credibility through transparency and making it more comprehensible to patients and all relevant stakeholders. The healthcare professional – industry cooperation exists for a series of activities, such as the exchange of best clinical practices and information on how new treatments can be developed and reach patients,” he concluded.
Together with KEFEA’S Disclosure Code, stricter provisions have been adopted for the interaction between medical representatives and healthcare professionals, the promotion of prescription medical products, the provision of pharmaceutical samples and scientific material and the hosting of healthcare professionals during scientific events.
Compliance with the Code is compulsory for all KEFEA and EFPIA members active in Cyprus. A five-member disciplinary committee has been set up to examine complaints and impose sanctions on companies that violate the Code.
KEFEA’ s initiative is supported by the Cyprus Medical Association.