A better Code of Conduct.

I November 2004, Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) made substantial changes to the industry’s Code of Conduct. Although these changes might not have pleased both the medical and pharmaceutical communities, they were necessary. The original Code of Conduct was first introduced in 1988 and reflected the approach to and expectations of relationships between industry and the medical community at that time. The Code of Conduct is a living document and has undergone several improvements over the years. Changes then, like the most recent changes, responded to the business climate of the day, reflected and upheld a high standard of ethics between the two communities, and ensured that professional relationships resulted in the very best outcome for patients. As an integral part of Canada’s health care system, innovation and research and development of new medicines is key to improving quality of life for patients, treating and relieving symptoms of illness, and in many cases curing disease. Family physicians are on the front lines every day. Their interaction with industry, whether in prescribing medicines for patients or spending time with pharmaceutical representatives, is part and parcel of these professional relationships. These relationships and public expectations of these relationships led to the latest changes to the Code of Conduct. To address industry’s access to physicians, parameters were needed that would stand up to public scrutiny and would clarify professional interactions between physicians and industry in two areas: hospitality and donations.