Code of Conduct - Question & Answers

7b. Hospitality - April 2005
 
Question 1:
The Hospitality section within the Code of Conduct the 3:1 (HCPs to Pharmaceutical Rep.) ratio is considered acceptable. We recognize that these numbers cannot be magnified to result in larger groups; however do these guidelines apply also when we are attending an international scientific meeting in a foreign country? Can we magnify the numbers to result in a larger group?

Response:
The ratio cannot be modified for international events. The Rx&D Code of Conduct applies to all Member Companies whether they are in Canada or away at an International event.

Question 2:
A team has sponsored hospital rounds and the hospital has organized a dinner and wanted to invite the sponsors. The Drs spouses have also been invited. Company XXX will not be paying for the Drs or their spouses and have been invited due to their sponsorship of the rounds throughout the year.

Can we accept this invitation?

Response:
We would question two issues. One in sponsoring the rounds it would appear the company was in fact sponsoring the dinner and also the spouse attendance at the dinner. This we would believe would contravene our principle of not doing indirectly what cannot be done directly? (Dinner with ratio >3:1 and dinner with spouses)