The HCA recognises the importance of ensuring the highest standards are maintained amongst healthcare communications professionals. The Good Practice Guides (GPGs) have been developed as a point of reference for HCA members.  They are designed to provide a flexible and user-friendly tool which will serve to support and protect the reputation of the pharmaceutical industry and help to maintain confidence in industry self-regulation.

The guides are supported by training modules.

The HCA GPGs are available free of charge to all staff of HCA member organisations.   Currently there exist two GPGs:

·         GPG on Working with the Media

·         GPG on Working with Patient Organisations

Further guides are in development and members will be informed when these become available.

HCA GPG on Working with the Media

This online tool has been designed to help HCA members address the questions and practical issues that arise during everyday media activities.  The GPG pulls together sections of relevant codes, whilst providing specific HCA recommendations on the implications for various different types of media-related activities.  It also provides links to relevant rulings by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA).

HCA GPG on Working with Patient Organisations

This online tool has been developed to help HCA members address the questions and practical issues that arise during everyday activities with patient organisations. The resource pulls together sections of relevant codes, whilst providing specific HCA recommendations on the implications of different patient organisation activities. It also provides links to relevant rulings by the PMCPA.

Getting started...

As an HCA member, the GPGs are available to all staff who are registered for the members-only section of the website.  Simply log-in by clicking here.  Once in the members-only section, click on the 'Tools' tab and select the relevant GPG from the drop-down menu.