MedTech
A code of good commercial practices for a better transparency of the relations between healthcare professionals and manufacturers.
AOS : signatory of the MedTech Europe charter
As a PCO (Professional Congress Organiser), our agency AOS adheres to the MedTech Europe Code of Professional Ethics which governs all
aspects of the industry’s relationship with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and healthcare organizations (HCOs), including congresses and events organized by the profession.
AOS is at the disposal of learned societies and partners to implement the MedTech Europe charter,especially in supporting healthcare professionals, which can no longer be done directly (organizing invitations, travel, accommodation paid for by a grant awarded to the learned society).
MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice
This code came into force on January 1st, 2017. This is a voluntary approach, the aim is to improve the taking into account and compliance with the codes of professional ethics at medical congresses, in particular, in accordance with harmonized standards between European countries, and to facilitate industry support for independent medical education.
MedTech Europe has adopted proactive and rigorous European self-regulation, beyond national legislation, to ensure the protection of the reputation of companies in the medical technology sector.
In this respect, the MedTech Europe Code covers all types of interactions, such as research and advice conventions, samples, gifts, and financial support from Health Professionals to attend scientific events organized by third parties.
MedTech Europe is committed to continuing to support the Continuing Medical Training of Health Professionals through educational grants.
The new Code was created to ensure that medical technology companies and their representatives respect the highest ethical standards and that their collaboration with Health Professionals is sustainable in the future.
This will promote industry reputation and public confidence, as these relationships between companies and health professionals are essential for innovation for the benefit of patients.
The main update introduced by this code is the prohibition of direct industry support to health professionals, whether they are speakers or participants (taking charge of conference registration, travel, accommodation, etc.), by member companies, from January 1st, 2018.
Since then, medical training has to be financed indirectly by educational grants (scholarships) awarded to health organizations, which then decide on its use with health professionals.
Why this change?
In order to promote the responsible image and values of the industry in the sector, it was necessary to adopt these new regulations, the aim of which was also to reduce the risk of non- compliance.
Indeed, transparency alone had become insufficient in the face of media issues and the challenges of direct financing. It was therefore necessary to protect the integrity and reputation of the industry.
Is my congregation concerned?
- Yes it is, if industrialists invite (registration, transportation, accommodation) health professionals to your conference.
- Yes it is, if those manufacturers are signatories to the MedTech charter. To view the signatory list at https://www.medtecheurope.org/about-us/members/
- Yes it is, if the congress takes place in a geographical area affected by the Code and/or welcomes professional health participants from these areas.
- Yes it is, if the conference is about a discipline using medical devices.
What does that imply?
The MedTech Europe Code prohibits direct funding between manufacturers and healthcare professionals from 1 January 2018. As a result, an industrialist will no longer be able to take direct responsibility for registration, transportation or accommodation as part of a health professional’s participation in your conference.
It may, on the other hand, provide indirect support by providing a participation fund to a health organisation or a MedTech approved congress organiser, who will select the beneficiaries of this fund to take charge of their rights, registration, transportation and/or accommodation.
What is the solution?
AOS has set up a support system to help you implement the MedTech code at all stages, and according to your needs.