BIO Policy urges adherence to strict ethical standards.
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Press Release Summary:
In policy statement, BIO encourages members involved in marketing of biologics or other pharmaceuticals to U.S. healthcare professionals to adopt transparent and rigorous code of conduct, which also ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. BIO also announced its support for principles contained in "Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals" adopted by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
Original Press Release:
BIO Encourages Its Members to Adopt Code of Conduct to Govern Interactions With Healthcare Professionals
Members Should Maintain "Highest Standards" For Ethical Business Practices Related to Interactions
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 19, 2009) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today a new policy statement regarding interactions between BIO's healthcare-related member companies and healthcare professionals. The policy, approved last week by BIO's Health Section Governing Board, encourages each of BIO's members involved in the marketing of biologics or other pharmaceuticals to United States healthcare professionals to adopt "a transparent and rigorous code of conduct," which also "ensures compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations."
In its statement, BIO reiterated that the organization and its member companies "remain dedicated to the improvement of patient care and the advancement of medical science. In pursuing this mission, we recognize that adherence to strict ethical standards and compliance with applicable laws is critical to our industry's ability to continue our collaboration with healthcare professionals and maintain the trust of our patients."
BIO also announced its support for the principles contained in the "Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals" adopted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) last year. In its new policy statement, BIO encourages its members to adopt a code of conduct such as the PhRMA code.
"The novel and state-of-the art therapies that are the object of the research of our member companies demand that these companies help provide continuing education to healthcare professionals. These educational interactions help healthcare professionals make informed decisions in consultation with their patients based on the most up-to-date information," stated BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood. "These interactions must continue to be governed by the highest ethical standards so that we maintain our bond of trust with patients and healthcare providers."
"Our policy statement recognizes the difficulty in crafting a 'one-size-fits-all' code of conduct for our diverse membership," added BIO Board and Health Section Governing Board Chair Dr. Joshua Boger. "At the same time, it reinforces the need for BIO member companies to continue to adhere to the highest ethical standards, specifically in their marketing and healthcare professional education practices, and to be transparent with the public as to their activities in this regard."
BIO's full policy statement reads:
BIO statement regarding PhRMA's revised Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals (the Code)
BIO and our member companies remain dedicated to the improvement of patient care and the advancement of medical science. In pursuing this mission, we recognize that adherence to strict ethical standards and compliance with applicable laws is critical to our industry's ability to continue our collaboration with healthcare professionals and maintain the trust of our patients. For these reasons, BIO supports the principles in PhRMA's Code governing interactions with healthcare professionals, and will continue to encourage its members to maintain the highest standards for ethical business practices and socially responsible industry conduct related to company interactions with healthcare professionals.
Specifically, BIO encourages each of its member companies that are involved in the marketing of biologics or other pharmaceuticals to United States healthcare professionals to adopt a transparent and rigorous code of conduct, such as the PhRMA Code, tailored as appropriate to its own particular circumstances and which also ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. BIO members that wish to sign on to the PhRMA Code may do so, even if they are not PhRMA members.
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About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
