IPHA has two Codes of Practice, 1) the IPHA Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry and 2) the Self-Care Advertising Code.
1) The IPHA Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry V8.6 effective 01 June 2025
We believe that the relationship between the biopharmaceutical industry, HCPs and HCOs should be based on integrity and transparency. Our industry continues to improve transparency in our relationships with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and healthcare organisations (HCOs). For example, since July 2016, details of companies’ financial interactions (all direct and indirect Transfers of Value, whether in cash, in-kind or otherwise) with HCPs and HCOs have been published on www.transferofvalue.ie as required by the industry-authored IPHA Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry. We initiated this to hasten the move towards transparency, and we are pleased to have achieved 100% named disclosure for HCOs and 99% named disclosure for HCPs (for 2025 data).
(B) HPRA’s Guide to Advertising Compliance
(C) EFPIA Patient Solutions Guidelines – Final 20241219
(D) ABOUT e4ethics – Ethical MedTech EU.
(E) rules-governing-medical-congresses-final-july-2025 There is a legislative basis for restricting non-Healthcare Professional (HCP) access to promotional areas at medical conferences and the EFPIA and IPCAA legal and ethical rules governing (and how to set up) a medical congress provides clear guidance on this matter. However, the implementation of the guardrails outlined in the rules document — separate promotional spaces, clear badging, advance planning —should not have the aim of excluding non-HCP groups or individuals from valuable non-promotional scientific sessions or communal spaces. The aim should be to ensure that conferences can be structured to comply with the legislation while ensuring the full and dignified inclusion of all registered delegates.
(F) IFPMA note for guidance on Educational and Scientific Events
2) The Self-Care Advertising Code
IPHA’s Self-Care Code_V6.1 with changes tracked compared to v6.2
Note that while IPHA and EFPIA do not provide a guidance about Fair Market Value applicable to collaboration with Patient Organisations, patient remuneration principles (EFPIA Working Together with Patients – Principles) are available as a non-binding guidance at workingtogetherwithpatients_patient-remuneration-principles.pdf (efpia.eu)
Companies operating across both UK and Irish jurisdictions are reminded that the regulatory landscape in Ireland, governed by S.I. No. 541/2007, the HPRA guide to advertising compliance, the IPHA Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry, the Self-Care Advertising Code and other industry standards, differs to that in the UK. While the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry and the PAGB Consumer Code for Medicines provide frameworks for medicines promotion in the UK, those Codes do not guarantee compliance with Irish regulatory requirements.
Ethical interactions with Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Organisations, Patient Organisations, the public and the marketing of medicines to Persons Qualified to Prescribe and Supply in Ireland, whether intended for use under medical supervision or otherwise, must be reviewed specifically against Irish legislation, the Irish Codes and applicable industry standards to ensure full compliance and to avoid regulatory non-compliance.
Superseded
The IPHA guidance titled ‘IPHA statement on banner adverts where there is insufficient space’, dated 28th May 2024, has been superseded by the HPRA’s 28.03.25 Guide to Advertising Compliance.