Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Innovative Medicines Canada) are aware of and adhere to the ideals of a free and fair society. These ideals include individual freedom, respect for the views of others, the freedom to trade and carry on commerce and the freedom that allows science and medicine to advance their knowledge bases.
Mission Statement
As the national voice of research‐based pharmaceutical companies, Innovative Medicines Canada advocates for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our Members’ commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian health care system.
Scope
This Code applies to the activities of all Member employees who interact with Stakeholders for the purpose of commercializing prescription medicines, excluding medical devices and over-the-counter products, through interactions between Members and Stakeholders.1 Adherence to the Code is a condition of Membership.
Non‐members of Innovative Medicines Canada are encouraged to adhere to the Code on a voluntary basis; however the Code has no authority over them.
The Code applies to direct and indirect interactions between Member employees or any third party acting on behalf of the Member and Stakeholders. Members must read, interpret and apply the Code in its entirety and treat the Code as a holistic document.2
[[1]]Non‐members of Innovative Medicines Canada are encouraged to adhere to the Code on a voluntary basis; however the Code has no jurisdiction over them.[[1]]
[[2]]The Code applies to direct and indirect interactions between Member employees and Stakeholders.
Definitions
The Term Stakeholders includes:
Dissemination of information: The term dissemination of information includes both the dissemination of scientific information and advertising.
Advertising: Advertising is defined by Health Canada as including any representation by any means whatever for the purpose of promoting directly or indirectly the sale of any drug. In determining whether a message falls within the definition of advertising, the purpose of the message is very significant. It must be determined whether the primary purpose of the message is to promote the sale of a drug or to provide information.3
[[3]]See Health Canada Distinction Document for more information:
http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/advert-publicit/pol/actv_promo_vs_info-eng.php[[3]]
Other Stakeholder: The term Other Stakeholder means any individual or organization, other than Health Care Professionals and Government, who in the course of their activities, has an interest in or is impacted by the activities of a Member company. This could include involvement in the supply or purchase of a prescription medicines.
Dissemination of scientific information: The term dissemination of scientific information refers to any activity undertaken, organized or sponsored by a Member which is directed at Stakeholders relating to the prescription, recommendation, supply, administration or consumption of its prescription medicines or relating to a disease state.
Health Care Professional: The term Health Care Professional means a person who by education, training, certification, or licensure is qualified to and is engaged in providing health care. This can include any of the following: an individual who is currently practicing medicine, nursing, or dispensing medicines in Canada or any other person who, in the course of his or her professional activities, may prescribe, recommend or administer a prescription medicine or be involved in related treatment or disease management.
Government: The term Government means a body of people that sets and administers public policy, and exercises executive, political, and sovereign power through customs, institutions, and laws within Canada or a Canadian Province or Territory.
Innovative and/or Patented Prescription Medicines in Canada: The term innovative and/or patented prescription medicine in Canada applies to a prescription drug and vaccine for which the Member has patent exclusivity and/or data exclusivity.
Industry Practices Review Committee (IPRC): The term Industry Practices Review Committee (IPRC) refers to the body that adjudicates complaints as further described in Section 19 of this Code.
Member Employee: The term Member employee relates to an employee of a Member company (Member) acting in that capacity or any person retained by a Member that acts on behalf of the company.
Member: The term Member or Member companies applies to all the Members of Rx&D.