Each section references the appropriate clauses in the ABPI Code of Practice, the MHRA Blue Book, the Charity Commission, Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) and the Long Term Conditions Alliance guidance, followed by HCA guidance.

Where relevant, we have provided associated PMCPA cases to show where breaches to the Code have either been upheld or dismissed. Please note that In July 2008 the ABPI Code of Practice was revised, including updating and renumbering the clauses. Where we felt the findings are still apt, we have included some associated cases pre-dating the revision of the ABPI Code, but the clause numbers are different to those in the current version of the Code.

Europe
In 2007 the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) adopted a new Code of Practice on Relations between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Patient Organisations. This includes a set of principles and clauses. Whilst there are many commonalities in the EFPIA and ABPI Codes, there are also differences. To avoid confusion we have not included the EFPIA Code in this guide, as the UK is regulated by the national ABPI Code of Practice.

It should be noted that the European Commission is currently drafting a proposal on information to patients with the aim of creating a legal framework to harmonise the area of health and prescription only medicine information between Member States. This includes the definition of what constitutes ‘non-promotional' information. The Commission proposes to create a framework for monitoring and control of information at Member State level, and also sees a new monitoring role for the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Future European legislation may affect communications with patient organisations at a national level and necessitate revisions to the various Codes.