Code of Conduct - Question & Answers

7b. Hospitality - August 2005
 
Question 1:
Can our American group offer free coffee and danish to visitors from their booth at an American congress in Montreal?

Response:
Section 7 (Hospitality), Article 7B.1.2 of the Code of Conduct indicates, “companies may provide to participants only refreshments/meals that are modest in content and cost”.

Question 2:
It has come to our attention that some companies have offered during national congresses some services (such as coffee and/or candies) at their company booth/exhibit. If this is modest and the purpose is not to attract physicians at the booth, would this be an acceptable practice?

If it is an international congress held in Canada, can we have some giveaways (modest)? Such as head massage or other services?

Response:
Section 7B (Hospitality), Article 7B.1.2 of the Code of Conduct indicates, “companies may provide to participants only refreshments/meals that are modest in content and cost.”

Rx&D member companies must adhere to the Code of Conduct at all times, including at International events held in Canada. Section 7A (Gifts). Article 7A.1.2 of the Code of Conduct states that “ Member companies must not offer to any health care professional, or to any member of a health care professional's clinical/administrative staff, any gift – in cash or in kind, or any promotional aid, prize, reward, or any other item any of which is intended for personal/family benefit, or pecuniary advantage.”

Question 3:
I would like to know if during an event where we have sponsored a table of 10 places could we invite our spouses? The event in question is a dancing evening at the Cardiac Institute. We are not inviting HCP's at our table. The invitees are administrators, patient groups, etc…

Reponse:
Section 6 of the Code of Conduct, named Donations or Financial Support, indicates in Article 6.1.2 that “individuals invited to sit at the corporate table(s), (…) should not be health care professionals.” Health care professional means an individual who is currently practicing medicine, nursing, or dispensing medicines in Canada. Spouses of member company employees are not restricted to such events per the code.

Question 4:
We would like to send invitations for a congress scheduled in September. If we take into account Section 7B, it is acceptable since we won't be serving meals per say but we are expecting 200 Canadian specialists, therefore, the 3-1 ratio won't be respected. Il we hold this event without any scientific content, are we committing an infraction? However, if we were to add a 15 minutes scientific presentation would that be acceptable? Are there exemptions since this is an international congress?

Reponse:
In Section 4 of the “addendum” section of the Code, page 21, you will find information related to invitation cards.

Article 4B of the Code of Conduct states that Rx&D member companies must adhere to the Code of Conduct during international symposiums held in Canada. There is no exemption authorized during Continued Medical Education activities, symposiums or congresses. Section 7B, Article 7B.1.2 states “companies may provide to participants only refreshments/meals that are modest in content and cost.” We invite you to consult the addendum, section 5 at page 21 of the Code of Conduct, where it states that “Any social activity should be limited, and companies should not combine the hospitality and entertainment referred to in Section 7 with Section 4A events.”

Member companies are responsible to uphold not only the letter but also the spirit of the Code of Conduct. In Section 1, entitled General Principles, it is mentioned, “Rx&D members must uphold this Code of Conduct (also called the Code) in spirit, not just on paper.”