GENERAL OVERVIEW
The MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice which came into force on 1 January 2017 regulates all aspects of the MedTech industry’s relationships with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) and Healthcare Organisations (HCOs). One important change introduced by the Code which will only be applicable as of 1 January 2018 is discontinuation of direct sponsorship of HCPs. As of that date, independent medical education has to be supported exclusively by means of Educational Grants. Such Educational Grants can be provided to Healthcare Organisations (HCOs) or Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs).
In order to allow these organisations to demonstrate their commitment to the ethical standards included in the Code to the industry partners, MedTech Europe set up the Ethical Charter, which is a voluntary certification initiative.
Please note that applications to the Ethical Charter process are currently limited to Healthcare Organisations (HCOs) and Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) as defined by the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice. Travel agencies are excluded from the scope of application. Therefore, applications to the Ethical Charter initiative from travel agencies will not be considered.
Please see the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice for complete definitions of these terms and further information.
Upon completion of a three-step process, the Ethical Charter provides to HCOs and PCOs a Trusted Partner logo valid for renewable periods of two years. Acquisition of the logo is a presumption of compliance, on which Events Organisers can capitalise to obtain quicker assessment of their Events eligible to be assessed under the Conference Vetting System.
In practice, the Ethical Charter entails the following key features:
- Expression of interest: Online form to be submitted by applicant organisations (PCOs/HCOs) interested in signing up to the Ethical Charter;
- Webinar: An online educational video and additional material to be reviewed by PCOs/HCOs’ selected staff members of applicant organisations to acquire a good understanding of the MedTech Europe Code;
- Self-assessment: PCOs/HCOs’ selected staff members are invited to proceed to an online test, in order to evaluate their understanding of the Code;
- Ethical Charter: Official commitment from applicant PCOs/HCOs, signed by the CEO of the organisation (PCOs/HCOs), to abide by the principles of the MedTech Europe Code and providing a license to use the Trusted Partner logo.