MedTech Code of Practice to enhance industry standards

Medical technology manufacturers are being targeted with the launch of a new website that sets out standards by which companies dealing in the healthcare sector should abide.

The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) has unveiled the Code of Business Practice portal, which provides a single point of call for information on the industry body’s rules and regulations for members. Its launch coincides with a redesign of the Code of Practice (CoP) document, which members of the ABHI must agree to adhere to.

It is hoped that, in the future, the code will become a wider industry standard that will underpin all commercial dealings within the healthcare marketplace.

Available as a complete document, or as individual chapters, the ABHI CoP deals with issues including competition law, complaints processes, advertising and promotion, interactions with healthcare professions, and ethical business compliance.

As part of the relaunch and rebranding, for the first time non-ABHI member companies will soon be able to sign up to the code.

I think that, while the Code of Practice is not the be all and end all; if you are looking to gain access to hospitals and generate face-to-face meetings, to demonstrate you have rules and regulations in place will only help

Daniel Jones, spokesman for the ABHI, told BBH : “The code was brought in originally for ABHI members so that there was a standard that anyone dealing with these companies could expect. We would like to see this take on a life of its own and become an industry code of practice underpinning all activities in the marketplace. The launch of the website is one of the key steps towards this.

“In today’s modern business environment, particularly in the medical sector, people look much more closely at things like transparency and ethics. I think that, while the Code of Practice is not the be all and end all; if you are looking to gain access to hospitals and generate face-to-face meetings, to demonstrate you have rules and regulations in place will only help.”

The ABHI is now working with the royal colleges to ensure NHS staff are also aware of, and understand, the code.

Peter Ellingworth, ABHI chief executive, said: “The launch of this website is a crucial step in the development of the ABHI Code of Practice. Our intention is to make it available to non members and work so that the whole of industry conforms to the highest ethical standards. By doing this, ABHI is helping to ensure that industry continues to be held in the highest regard by policymakers and the NHS.

“I’m sure the whole of industry will join me in welcoming this development, which re-affirms our commitment to conducting our business in an ethical, consistent and transparent manner.

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