See also appended.... -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Australian Competition Tribunal decision on the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct [ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:46:28 +1000 From: Staltari, Danielle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CC: Palisi, Joanne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Bourke, Monica <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Dear Dr Harvey, As you may be aware, the Australian Competition Tribunal has today released its decision on the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct. A link the austlii website which provides a copy of the Tribunal's decision is enclosed for your information. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/ACompT/2007/4.html Thank you for your interest in the Medicines Australia matter. Regards Danielle *Danielle Staltari* *Assistant Director* *ACCC* *Ph: 02 6243 1362* *Fax: 02 6243 1211* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MA loses code of conduct appeal http://www.pharmainfocus.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1800 Posted 27 June 2007 Medicines Australia (MA) has lost its court appeal against the stringent exposure condition placed on the industry code of conduct last year by the ACCC, with companies now forced to reveal significant details of every sponsored event for doctors. MA Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers said that while the decision by the Competition Tribunal is "disappointing," MA accepted it and would abide by it. "We confirm our ongoing commitment to the Code of Conduct – it will be strictly enforced and, where breaches occur, sanctions will be applied without fear or favour." Mr Chalmers said that in bringing the case, MA was in no way seeking to avoid transparency and would now fully comply with the condition imposed by the ACCC in July last year. "It will be challenging but we will fully implement the condition. We are unclear at what point we will commence but I expect we will have to do it very very quickly," he said. Mr Chalmers estimated this would mean providing detailed raw data on more than 8,000 sponsored events a year if the condition remained as originally set out by the ACCC. "It would be disingenuous to say we are not disappointed by the decision, however, disappointment is a quickly passing emotion and we are absolutely committed to the code and will implement the condition." Mr Chalmers said the decision required the Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee to conduct internal reviews of the data provided by companies and refer any apparent breaches to the code committee in the same way as a complaint. Asked why MA originally challenged the ACCC condition, the organisation said it was because it felt there was so much public benefit flowing from the strengthened Code, that the condition was unnecessary and of no public benefit. Meanwhile, ACCC Chairman Graham Samuel told Pharma In Focusthat his organisation is "very satisfied" with the determination. "We believe that this is a correct decision as it allows for the transparency and accountability which is required within the marketplace. "As a result of this, the community can now see what is occurring and what it is dealing with." He said the determination went right to the heart of the fundamental concerns of health and patients in Australia. "In dealing with its patients, the medical profession can now rest assured that they are dealing with the highest levels of ethics. This transparency ensures that the medical profession is not subjected to pressures by those with commercial interests." Consumer organisation Choice called the ruling "a step in the right direction". "More, however, needs to be done to improve the Code of Conduct," said a spokesperson, "specifically to improve monitoring and increase the sanctions to deter repeat breaches of the code". Louise Durack and Nick Lush _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
