A PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PHYSICIANS

Medical ethics have been governing human behaviour as far back as 460-357 BC. However as science becomes more innovative and medical research processes more creative, the ethical boundaries that limited “what was considered possible” are now being challenged by scientific endeavour using rational justifications that often go beyond common sense.

Controversial “ethical” issues emanating from the revised Declaration of Helsinki, the proposed EU Clinical Trials Directive, as well as the Media –“the Washington Post Body-hunters" series, 60 minutes” and “Larry King” etc. inevitably opens the pharmaceutical industry to ever increasing public scrutiny. There is a need for transparency, and guidance on how Pharmaceutical Physicians as ‘the conscience and guardians” of Pharmaceutical Ethics can pro-actively manage these situations responsibly, well before they become major issues.

Pharmaceutical Physicians should recognise their ethical responsibility and stand aside from product loyalty when assessing factors affecting the product itself. They must remain aware at all times that the ultimate interests of both patients and their own employers are best served by an objective scientific attitude. The IFAPP recognises that this may place a practising Pharmaceutical Physician in a position, which demands considerable determination.

An International Working Party [WP] was established in September 2001 to advise The International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians [IFAPP] on how to manage this complex area. It was recognised that there are ethical issues, which are of particular relevance to Pharmaceutical Physicians and believes that it has a responsibility to define and publish standards to which Pharmaceutical Physicians and others can refer may be measured when dealing with ethical issues in the field of Pharmaceutical Medicine.

A code was published in October 2002 and can be seen on this site.