Ethical Promotion of Therapeutic Goods
The Government is pursuing a level playing field on marketing obligations within the therapeutic goods industry.
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8 September 2008
The Government is pursuing a level playing field on marketing obligations within the therapeutic goods industry.
Recent media reports have claimed that incentives are being offered to promote the sales of certain medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
"Providing inducements to encourage the use of any kind of therapeutic good is simply unacceptable," the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler said. "It undermines public confidence in
the industry and our healthcare system."
Whilst the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 regulates advertisements for therapeutic goods, the professional relationship between companies and healthcare practitioners is governed by industry and
professional codes of conduct.
A number of therapeutic goods industry associations have developed, or are developing, their own codes of conduct. These include Medicines Australia, the Australian Self-Medication Industry, the
Generic Medicines Industry Association, the Complementary Healthcare Council and the Medical Technology Association of Australia.
"Inconsistencies between codes of conduct within the therapeutic goods industry can create the damaging perception that sponsor's obligations differ according to membership of a particular
association," Mr. Butler said. "The Government wants to see an industry-wide approach that uses the highest ethical benchmarks to address the issue of improper influence in marketing."
The TGA is meeting with all the therapeutic industry associations next week to discuss their respective codes and consider potential strategies for a way forward.
"I look forward to receiving advice on industry agreed options for working together to strengthen codes of conduct, provide a level playing field, and ensure that self-regulation retains public and
Government confidence," Mr. Butler said.
Media Contact: Lisa Sedgwick, Parliamentary Secretary’s Office, (02) 6277 4414
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