Definition of EFPIA

• The European Federation Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations is an organization that advocates and lobbies for pharmaceutical companies in Europe. It provides representation for the industry in political and commercial environments. As of 2010, it caters to more than 2,000 companies. The EFPIA's codes of conduct govern the manner in which new medicines are promoted and presented to the public as well as health-care providers.
  
  

Basics of the Code

• The principle code of conduct is one which the EFPIA shares with patient organizations. The code implements a transparent and ethical partnership between the two. The code calls on each entitity to refrain from endorsing "prescription-only" medications, and establishes the unquestioned autonomy of patient organizations in all their activities. The code also outlines some basic guidelines for funding opportunities.
  
  

Updates to the Code

• While in the past, the code of conduct focused solely on promotional efforts, it now extends to the way the pharmaceutical industry relates or "interacts" with health-care providers. This especially relates to any money, i.e. grants, given those providers by pharmaceutical companies. Records of all such transactions must now be provided in order to ensure they were not for the purpose of encouraging the marketing of a certain drug.