Operating Procedure

The IFPMA Code establishes standards for the ethical promotion of pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals, and outlines appropriate interactions with stakeholders such as patient organizations. The IFPMA Code Operating Procedure provisions are delineated in Appendix I of the IFPMA Code of Practice (2012).

The IFPMA Code Complaint Procedure is a four step procedure:

Step 1: Validation

A valid complaint ought to be genuine, submitted in good faith, and contain sufficient information to be processed within the scope of the IFPMA Code of Practice. The alleged breach must not be subject to a member association’s national jurisdiction or currently under investigation by another member association.

Step 2: Adjudication

If the alleged breach is processed and validated, the complaint is referred to a panel of adjudicators, an independent ad hoc group of experts selected from national member associations. Both the complainant and the subject of the complaint are notified of the panel’s decision.

Step 3 Appeal:

If the adjudicators’ decision is appealed by either the complainant or the company, a second ruling may be requested. A separate appeals panel, comprising of experts selected from national member associations, will consider the appeal.

Step 4 Publication of the Outcome:

When a breach of the IFPMA Code has been ruled and is not disputed by the company, or a breach has been upheld by the adjudication panel, details of the complaint are made public via the IFPMA website.