Ethics
Trust and confidence are key to building strong, productive relationships.
At Innovative Medicines Canada, we work together with the broader healthcare community toward the long-term sustainability of a healthcare system in which patients experience the best possible health outcomes.
We and our members have set a high standard for ethical, transparent and open practices that respect the relationships among our member company employees, the life sciences sector, healthcare professionals and the Canadian public.
All our members are bound by our Code of Ethical Practices, which maintains strict standards on what is acceptable in our work with healthcare practitioners. Our members are responsible to ensure their business engagements with stakeholders comply with the Code. We do not preclear any activity undertaken by our members or their contractors, but we publicly report on Code violations.
In addition to upholding our own Code, Innovative Medicines Canada is a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations and adheres to the IFPMA ethos, which calls for building a culture of trust.
Code of ethical practices
Since 1988, our Code has set the standard for transparent, trust-based relationships across Canada’s pharmaceutical industry.
Canadian consensus framework for ethical collaboration
Ethical principles for the whole health ecosystem, built with Canada’s leading health organizations.
Global commitment to ethics
Innovative Medicines Canada is just one of many pharmaceutical associations worldwide. As members of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFMPA), we and the industry we represent have sent a clear signal that we are committed to ethical practices.
We have demonstrated our leadership in many other ways. IMC introduced APEC’s Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector, a set of international ethical standards. And we were instrumental in bringing together the international Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration, which has four overarching principles:
- Put patients first.
- Support ethical research and innovation.
- Ensure independence and ethical conduct.
- Promote transparency and accountability.
The international Framework enabled Innovative Medicines Canada to engage a large group of stakeholders in discussions related to ethics, share and gather information, and promote organizations’ common approaches to ensuring high-quality patient care.
The Framework was developed in partnership by The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, International Council of Nurses, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, International Pharmaceutical Federation and the World Medical Association. It provides a structure for health organizations wishing to build their own ethical guidelines. The Framework also establishes a method for these parties to collaborate and achieve common goals.
E-learning program
Our e-learning program was created in response to our members’ desire to understand and comply with the code and pharmaceutical industry regulations.
Notice of recent changes to Innovative Medicines Canada’s Code of Ethical Practices
Amendments to IMC’s Code of Ethical Practices were approved by our Board of Directors. Key amendments include the following:
IMC member companies may support healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) learning activities. Before supporting learning activities, members must conduct a needs assessment to ensure there is a legitimate unmet learning need.
While the Code continues to reiterate that full editorial control remains with HCPs, if requested by presenting HCPs, members’ medical or education personnel may now assist an HCP in developing its presentation by providing fair, balanced and objective materials that help meet the learning need.
The Code recognizes that sales representatives may perform logistical activities associated with learning programs. Members must now ensure there is appropriate internal oversight for those logistical activities. For accredited learning programs, sales representatives can perform logistical responsibilities in accordance with the National Standard for Support of CPD Activities. Also, the Code now clarifies that if member sales representatives attend learning activities, they must not participate in the discussion, and cannot detail, provide samples, or set up a booth.
The Code creates a set of standards for members who provide support to journal clubs and rounds. All support must be in the form of a grant that the program organizer can use to pay for expenses. To receive support from members, journal clubs and rounds must take place in a setting that is conducive to learning. If program organizers allow, members may attend these activities as observers.
The Code clarifies that, while member employees cannot hold in-person, face-to-face meetings with HCPs in a personal residence, the prohibition does not apply to virtual meetings.
Complaints and transparency
Our process for reporting and resolving Code violations, publicly and transparently.
Voluntary disclosure of payments
A public record of transfers of value between our member companies and healthcare professionals across Canada.
