Code of Conduct - Question & Answers

4a. Continuing Health Education - March 2005
 
Question 1:
This question relates to activities that could be termed as "Train the Trainer" sessions where the overall objective is to train a specially selected group of physicians (both GP and specialists) on company X CHE program delivery and overall facilitation effectiveness for the CHE program. This is not the specific CHE course but rather is a preparatory course on CHE delivery. There is no specific mention of this within the Code of Conduct. Can it also be grouped as a CHE event with similar requirements/guidelines? More specifically, could the GPs or specialists be provided with an honorarium for attending these "Train the Trainer" events? Are there any other specific provisions that we may need to keep in mind to remain in compliance?

Response:
The purpose and objectives should be clearly defined by the company in its correspondence on the event. Attendees and payments should be reasonable. Keep in mind that perceptions of these events are important. We will be revising the Code in the near future to provide more explicit guidelines regarding these types of sessions.

Question 2:
Are our reps allowed to hold a CHE at a physicians home, and have the food either catered in, or a chef come in and prepare the food while the CHE takes place, i.e. a Sushi chef?

Response:
This activity can easily be perceived as paying to access a Healthcare Professional. Further, as spouses and family are not to be invited to CHE Events the suggested environment may lead to infringe this section of the Code. The acceptable environment to conduct business interaction does not include a Healthcare Professional's home.

The Code must be upheld in spirit & in letter

Section 4A “Spousal/companion participation in CHE events, including both meetings and social events, is strongly discouraged.