Members understand that it is important that there is information publicly available to help ensure that selection of medicines by healthcare professionals has not been unduly influenced and is able to withstand public and professional scrutiny.
No one knows medicines as well as the sponsors who make them. Members have an obligation to ensure all healthcare professionals have access to the latest information about prescription medicines. One of the ways this information is conveyed is through educational events provided to healthcare professionals.
An educational event is any education focused event providing current and relevant medical information to prescribing or dispensing healthcare professionals that is supported, either financially or administratively, by a member.
Members observe clearly defined principles in relation to any educational events which they provide to healthcare professionals. These principles are outlined in section 10.1.2 of the GBMA Code of Practice.
Members of GBMA have been reporting on educational events provided to prescribing healthcare professionals since 1 April 2010. Since 1 December 2010 members have been reporting on educational events provided to all healthcare professionals.
Members provide a report to GBMA on all educational events for healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense prescription medicines which are held or sponsored by that member twice a year as outlined in section 10.1.3 of the GBMA Code of Practice. Educational event reports provided by each member are posted on the GBMA website within four months of the applicable period end.
Members report on the Non-price Benefits extended to pharmacists as outlined in section 10.2 of the GBMA Code of Practice. Members prepare a report by 28 March showing the total actual costs incurred by the Member in providing Non-Price Benefits to pharmacists in the previous calendar year and a list of each type of Non-price Benefit provided by the Member to pharmacists for the previous year.