Growing support for shared ethical principles from healthcare and medicines providers

27/01/2015

- The InternationalHospital Federation (IHF) and the International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance (IGPA) endorse efforts by organizations representingpatients, health professionals and R&D pharma to recognize common ethical principles worldwide when delivering solutions to address patients’ needs.

- Global movement fostering ethical practices celebrates first anniversary of its Consensus Framework, showing progress at national level.

- The Consensus Framework can be referred to by health providers and has the potential to impact millions of patients worldwide.

Geneva, 26 January 2015 –The InternationalHospital Federation (IHF) and the International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance (IGPA) today endorsed efforts by founding partners of the Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration topromote common ethical principles worldwide when delivering solutions to address patients’ needs.

This endorsements fall on the first anniversary of the Consensus Framework when partners met on the fringe of the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting to celebrate implementation of the framework at national level. Countries currently looking to build a set of joint national ethical health practices inspired by the Consensus Framework include Austria, Belarus,Canada,China,Japan, Mexico, Russia,Philippines,Thailand, and theUnited Kingdom.

Signatories of the Consensus Framework comprise the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the World Medical Association (WMA).

“The Consensus Framework has today become stronger as its provision can now apply across the whole healthcare community”, said Dr. Xavier Deau, President of the WMA. “Actions undertaken under the Framework will guide interactions between millions of patients and nurses, pharmacists, doctors, dentists and hospitals, as well as the research-based and generic pharmaceutical industries worldwide”, added Stephen McMahon, Interim Chief Executive Officer, IAPO.

Today’s endorsements also coincide with the establishment of the Consensus Framework Endorsement Guidelines.The Framework does not override existing individual codes and guidelines; instead, it highlights and reinforces the existing commitments held by each individual organization. By endorsing the Framework, collaborating organizations, like IGPA and IHF, commit both at global and national levels to ethical conduct and interactions that uphold high standards and integrity to ensure the well-being of patients worldwide. The Consensus Framework is voluntary and has no formal enforcement mechanism.

“All signatory partners share the objective of delivering high-quality healthcare to patients worldwide in a transparent and accountable way”, said Eduardo Pisani, Director General of IFPMA. “We are glad that other key healthcare delivery providers endorse the commitment to ethical, open, and informed decision-making and action. This will result in stronger accountability of the whole healthcare sector”, Dr David C. Benton, Chief Executive Officer of ICN and Luc Besan?on, General Secretary and CEO of FIP added.

About FIP

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO).With 132 member organisations FIP represents and serves more than three million experts in medicines and their responsible use around the world. Its mission is to improve global health by advancing pharmacy practice and science to enable better discovery, development, access to and safe use of appropriate, cost-effective, quality medicines worldwide.

About IAPO

IAPO is a global alliance representing patients of all nationalities across all disease areas and promoting patient-centred healthcare worldwide. Our members are patients’ organizations working at the local, national, regional and international levels to represent and support patients, their families and carers. IAPO has over 200 members which span over 60 countries and 60 disease areas and through its membership represents an estimated 365 million patients worldwide.

About ICN

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. The research-based pharmaceutical industry’s 2 million employees research, develop and provide medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.

About WMA

The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behaviour and care by physicians, at all times. The purpose of the WMA is to serve humanity by endeavoring to achieve the highest international standards in Medical Education, Medical Science, Medical Art and Medical Ethics, and Health Care for all people in the world.

For further information, please contact:

FIP - International Pharmaceutical Federation

Lin-Nam Wang

+31 70 302 1987

Linnam@fip.org

IAPO - International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations

Ian Ford

+44 20 7250 8280

ian@iapo.org.uk

ICN - International Council of Nurses

Lindsey Williamson

+41 22 908-0124