[May 27, 2014, Beijing] To further promote the implementation of the Ethical Codes for Pharmaceutical Companies (hereinafter the Codes), strengthen the building of the industry’s credit system, actively execute industry-based disciplines and create an orderly, fair environment for competition and a self-regulatory platform for the industry, China Pharmaceutical Industry Association, China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products, China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association, R&D-based Pharmaceutical Association Committee under China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (RDPAC), China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicines, China Association of Pharmaceutical Commerce, China Nonprescription Medicines Association, China Pharmaceutical Enterprises Promotion Association and China Association of Cultural Development of Pharmaceutical Companies jointly held the China Forum on Ethical Business Practices for Pharmaceutical Industry. Leaders of the National Family Planning Commission, China Food and Drug Administration and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology attended the forum.
On October 29, 2013, the above nine associations jointly held the Ceremony for Publishing Ethical Codes for Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies, advocating compliance with the Codes within the pharmaceutical industry. In this forum, representatives from these nine associations exchanged experiences and understandings they obtained in the past half year in promoting and implementing the Codes. The representatives took the view that, promoting Codes to strengthen self-discipline of the pharmaceutical industry and carrying out business under high ethical standards that are transparent is an approach that will benefit multiple parties: for companies, it can reduce operation costs and risks, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises; for government, it will help with the creating of a sound industrial environment and reducing regulatory challenges; and more importantly, it will help to protect interests of patients. The Codes originated from the Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector (i.e. Mexico Principles) put forward by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in September 2011 in Mexico. As China is hosting APEC this year, further implementation of the Codes will have a greater implication.
On the other hand, patients, healthcare professionals, drug-making industry and organizations will each play a unique role in making appropriate diagnoses and treatments accessible to patients. In January this year, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the World Medical Association (WMA) have established a Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration between Patients’ Organizations, Healthcare Professionals and the Pharmaceutical Industry. This framework is based on four overarching principles: putting patients first; supporting ethical research and innovation; ensuring independence and ethical conduct; and promoting transparency and accountability, which highlight the best practices for cooperation among different organizations to promote patients’ health. In China, implementation of the Codes also relies on the jointly efforts of the pharmaceutical industry, the drug-making industry, patients and the government. The interests of patients could not be effectively protected and the pharmaceutical industry could not develop soundly unless trust and respect as well as common practices, rules and goals have been established among these parties.
Leaders of Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, Chinese Medical Doctor Association and Chinese Hospital Association also attended the forum.
