Australian Medical Students™ Association Guidelines for the … · 2017-03-29 · of AMSA, medical student societies and medical students This section covers: • How Pharmaceutical

Australian Medical Students� Association Guidelines for the interaction between pharmaceutical companies and Australian medical students


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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

GLOSSARY 4

ABBREVIATIONS 5

INTRODUCTION 6

PREAMBLE 7

SECTION 1: NATURE AND LIMIT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SPONSORSHIP OF AMSA, MEDICAL STUDENT SOCIETIES AND MEDICAL STUDENTS 8

SECTION 2: EDUCATION ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES 10

SECTION 3: AMSA EVENTS 13

SECTION 4: MEDICAL STUDENT SOCIETY EVENTS 17

SECTION 5: AMSA AND MEDICAL STUDENT SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS 19

SECTION 6: EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL 21

SECTION 7: EDUCATIONAL EVENTS 22

SECTION 8: MERCHANDISE AND PROMOTIONAL ITEMS 24

SECTION 9: COMPETITIONS, GIFTS AND OFFERS 25

SECTION 10: AMSA EXTERNAL STUDENT DELEGATIONS 27

SECTION 11: ELECTIVE BURSARIES 30

SECTION 12: RESEARCH 32

APPENDIX 1: PROCEDURAL POLICY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SPONSORSHIP APPLICATIONS 34

APPENDIX 2: APPLICATION TO AMSA COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL TO SEEK PHARMACEUTICAL SPONSORSHIP 38


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Glossary Pharmaceutical company: any company which has an interest in producing, marketing or selling pharmaceutical products listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) to the medical profession and medical students. Pharmaceutical sponsorship: the provision of financial support, products or services by a pharmaceutical company (or agent thereof) in exchange for promotion and advertising of that company�s name, business or products. Pharmaceutical representative: any employee of, or company or person acting on behalf of a pharmaceutical company. AMSA Executive: The members of the board of directors of AMSA Limited. AMSA National Council: The representative Council of AMSA consisting of one elected member from each Australian medical school. AMSA Advisory Council: An ex officio body composed of former AMSA Executive members and former AMSA Councillors which advises the AMSA Executive and National Council of significant matters. Medical student: any individual currently undertaking a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) or Medical Doctorate (MD) at an Australian University, including those performing research as part of either degree. Medical student society: any group whose membership consists primarily of Australian medical students, or whose primary mandate is to represent the interests of Australian medical students.


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Abbreviations AMSA: The Australian Medical Students� Association AMA: The Australian Medical Association IFMSA: International Federation of Medical Student Associations IRG: The Interns� and Residents� Guide publication LDW: AMSA Leadership Development Workshop LRW: AMSA Life in the Real World Seminar NLDS: AMSA National Leadership Development Seminar OTC: Over the Counter PBS: The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PSWP: The AMSA Pharmaceutical Sponsorship Working Party


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Introduction The Australian Medical Students� Association is committed to connecting, informing and representing Australia�s medical student population. Over the past decade the issue of accepting sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies has become increasingly contentious and has absorbed many hours of fervent debate at AMSA Councils. The idea of writing a policy on pharmaceutical sponsorship was first broached in 2004. Extensive surveying of the Australian medical student population was carried out with the subsequent policy being passed at the July Council of 2005. By February of 2007, AMSA Council had reached a general consensus that it was time to review the pharmaceutical sponsorship policy and the PSWP was subsequently created. The PSWP was chaired by the 2007 AMSA Vice President, Paul Eleftheriou and consisted of three members of the 2006 National Council (Olivia Pegram, Claire Stewart and Brenton Systermans) and three members of the 2007 National Council (Mark Friel, Shehnarz Salindera and Tej Mettho). The PSWP set out to examine the research available on the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and medical students. As much of the international research investigated by the PSWP was not applicable to the Australian situation these Guidelines are based on AMA findings as well as the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct. It is pharmaceutical companies� promotion of their PBS listed products to medical students which is of major concern to AMSA because of the potential to influence medical students� future prescribing habits. Medical students are technically members of the general public as they are yet to graduate and register as doctors. As such any interaction between pharmaceutical companies and medical students must comply with regulations that dictate the relationship between the general public and pharmaceutical companies. However, medical students are frequently exposed to the marketing techniques of pharmaceutical companies in hospitals, community clinical settings and at medical conferences. As such, it was recognized that appropriate Guidelines on medical student interaction with pharmaceutical companies needed to be formulated. These Guidelines set out to provide principles which govern


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the interactions that AMSA, medical student societies and medical students have with pharmaceutical companies.

Preamble It is the responsible role of pharmaceutical companies to provide on-going, appropriate, objective and scientiÞcally valid educational resources to medical students. The Guidelines for the interaction between pharmaceutical companies and Australian medical students (hereafter �the Guidelines�) set out the standards of conduct for the activities of pharmaceutical companies when interacting with medical students, medical student societies and AMSA. Pharmaceutical companies are strongly advised to read these Guidelines before seeking out partnerships with AMSA or any of its affiliate medical student societies. Acceptance and observance of these Guidelines is a condition that must be met by pharmaceutical companies when sponsoring any aspect of AMSA. In accepting and observing these Guidelines, pharmaceutical companies must comply with both the letter and the spirit of these Guidelines. Pharmaceutical representatives should be fully conversant with the provisions of these Guidelines. It is also the expectation of AMSA that all AMSA committees, sub-committees, working parties and individuals acting on behalf of the association will abide by the terms of these Guidelines when seeking sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies. In regards to AMSA�s affiliate medical student societies and individual medical students, these Guidelines are designed to provide a framework for their successful interactions with pharmaceutical companies. AMSA strongly believes in the autonomy of its constituents and therefore provide the below Guidelines as a resource. AMSA will not take any action against a medical student society or medical student who chooses not to comply with the Guidelines. The application and administration of these Guidelines shall be


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supervised by the AMSA Executive in consultation with the AMSA Advisory Council and AMSA National Council. AMSA may issue determinations from time to time for the purpose of interpretation of certain sections of these Guidelines.

Section 1: Nature and limit of pharmaceutical sponsorship of AMSA, medical student societies and medical students

This section covers:

• How Pharmaceutical companies may promote themselves in general to medical students.

General Principle Medical students in Australia are in a particularly interesting position with respect to interactions with pharmaceutical companies. Technically, medical students are part of the general population who in Australia are free from direct marketing of PBS listed products by pharmaceutical companies. Despite this, medical students are frequently exposed to direct marketing by pharmaceutical companies during their clinical placements. Similarly, medical students are often targeted by marketing from pharmaceutical companies through sponsorship of medical student societies. The interaction between medical students and pharmaceutical companies must be conducted within the provision of Australian Law and industry standards. When promoting themselves to medical students a pharmaceutical company must: 1.1. Only promote the pharmaceutical company�s nature, values,

research and development work; 1.2. Under no circumstance promote any products that are listed on

the PBS, nor ever distribute free samples of any PBS-listed medications;

1.3. Comply with requirements of the organisers of the particular medical student event, publication or service;


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1.4. Conduct their activities in a manner which will withstand public and professional scrutiny, and conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.


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Section 2: Education about relationships with pharmaceutical companies


• How AMSA should lobby relevant bodies such as the Australian Medical Council (AMC), the AMA, and Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) for the inclusion of formal teaching about Pharmaceutical Companies within the medical curriculum;

• How AMSA should educate medical student society Executives and committees about the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining sponsorship from Pharmaceutical Companies;

• How AMSA and medical student societies should undertake to educate their members about Pharmaceutical Companies, their marketing techniques and their interactions with healthcare professionals.

General Principle AMSA is in an excellent position to distribute knowledge about the relationships between pharmaceutical companies, medical student societies and medical students. Due to variations in medical curricula and the stances of medical student societies across Australia, individual medical students� awareness of the issues surrounding pharmaceutical sponsorship varies immensely. For this reason, AMSA and medical student societies should commit to educating medical students regardless of individual societies� stances. 2.1 AMSA 2.1.1 On National Tour an educational pamphlet may be included in

showbags to flag the issue of pharmaceutical sponsorship with students.

2.1.2 On National Tour, AMSA Executive members should engage with AMSA representatives and other medical student society Executive members to discuss pharmaceutical sponsorship of their society.

2.1.3 These Guidelines and other resources regarding the effects of pharmaceutical sponsorship on medical students and doctors should be made available on the AMSA website for students.

2.1.4 If an AMSA Executive receives sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company, a one-page educational article about pharmaceutical sponsorship should be included in one edition of Panacea in that year. This article should include references to how other countries manage the relationships


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between pharmaceutical companies, medical students and doctors.

2.1.5 If an AMSA Executive receives sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company an educational forum should be held at an appropriate AMSA national event to discuss the issues surrounding pharmaceutical sponsorship.

2.1.6 AMSA should develop a proforma survey to allow interested medical student societies to survey their students about attitudes towards pharmaceutical sponsorship.

2.2 Medical Student Societies The variation in medical student society approaches to pharmaceutical sponsorship means that each society may require a different approach to educating their students about pharmaceutical companies. Some suggested activities include: 2.2.1 Seminars and debates. Such events provide an excellent

opportunity to engage students about the issues surrounding pharmaceutical sponsorship. Consider encouraging AMSA Representatives to organise these events and use them as a way to promote AMSA as a forum for these issues.

2.2.2 Student surveys. Conduct surveys to gauge students� understanding and opinions regarding pharmaceutical sponsorship.

2.2.3 Pharmaceutical sponsorship policy review. Sponsorship policies should be reviewed at regular intervals and should be consistent with student opinions.

2.3 Medical Schools 2.3.1 Medical schools should include formal training within their

curricula based on the AMA�s Guidelines for an ethical association with the pharmaceutical industry.

2.3.2 Medical schools should include formal training within their curricula about the effect pharmaceutical companies� marketing strategies can have on doctors.

2.3.3 Medical schools should include formal training within their curricula which enables medical students to critically appraise peer reviewed literature.

2.3.4 Medical schools should ensure that any lecturer or speaker whom they employ to lecture medical students disclose any relevant connections with a pharmaceutical company at the outset of a presentation.

2.3.5 Medical schools should not receive any funding from pharmaceutical companies.


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2.4 Medical Students 2.4.1 Medical students should endeavor to be informed about their

professional relationships with any pharmaceutical companies. 2.4.2 Medical students should participate in any curriculum set out by

their medical school relating to pharmaceutical sponsorship. 2.4.3 Medical students should seek to understand why companies are

sponsoring them or their medical student society. 2.4.4 Medical students should be aware of when they are receiving

education from a pharmaceutical company rather than their medical school.

2.4.5 Medical students should be aware of their right to refuse involvement with a pharmaceutical company without suffering a loss in education or socialisation from their medical school or medical student society.


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Section 3: AMSA events This section covers:

• The involvement of pharmaceutical companies in: o The AMSA National Convention; o The AMSA Global Health Conference; o The AMSA National Leadership Development Seminar; and o Any other events that AMSA should choose to coordinate

or organise. General Principle The events that AMSA coordinates each year are a significant aspect of the association�s annual activities. These events represent an important opportunity for AMSA to disseminate knowledge and experience to Australia�s medical students. Pharmaceutical companies involved in these events must have as their primary objective the support of AMSA and its goal of enhancement of medical knowledge and skills among Australia�s medical students. 3.1 Trade displays 3.1.1 Trade displays must feature the name of the company in a

prominent position 3.1.2 In accordance with section 1, trade displays may only promote

the pharmaceutical company�s image as well as the nature, values and research and development work and may under no circumstance promote any products that are listed on the PBS.

3.1.3 Pharmaceutical companies must comply with requirements of the organisers of the particular AMSA event when setting up and conducting a trade display.

3.1.4 Competitions that are held as a part of a trade display must be consistent with the requirements of Section 9 Competitions.

3.1.5 All promotional materials used at trade displays must be consistent with the requirements of Section 8 Merchandise.

3.1.6 All food available from a trade display must be consistent with the requirements of Section 3.4 Catering.

3.1.7 All education material available from a trade display must be consistent with the requirements of Section 6 Educational Material.

3.1.8 Gifts, cash payments and/or donations to societies or charities must not be offered to medical students in an attempt to encourage them to visit trade display booths.

3.1.9 Any activity of a pharmaceutical company in relation to its trade display must be able to withstand public and professional


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scrutiny, and conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

3.2 Sponsorship of event content (including, but not limited to

plenary sessions, panels, workshops and speakers) 3.2.1 Pharmaceutical companies may assist and make financial

contributions to the running of an academic program at an AMSA event. A pharmaceutical company may choose to:

I. Sponsor a speaker who the event organisers have already secured for the event;

II. Provide a speaker who either works for the company or who has a previous relationship with that company;

III. Suggest a speaker who is not already secured for the event and has no ties with the company, but may be suited to the topic/general objectives of that event.

3.2.2 Sponsorship of a speaker may include the pharmaceutical company paying any associated speaker fees, travel and accommodation costs for the speaker as well as costs associated with venue hire, audiovisual equipment hire and promotions of the event. All promotional material must comply with Section 8 Promotional items.

3.2.3 All speakers sponsored by pharmaceutical companies must present material which is unbiased and correct. Where available the information must include references to a credible peer reviewed journal.

3.2.4 Any content presented by a speaker sponsored by a pharmaceutical company must not be dictated by that company.

3.2.5 Any content presented by a speaker sponsored by a pharmaceutical company should be made available to the event organisers on request prior to the commencement of the event.

3.2.6 Any content presented by a speaker sponsored by a pharmaceutical company must be able to withstand public and professional scrutiny and must conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

3.2.7 Any possible conflict of interest of a speaker supported by a pharmaceutical company must be noted at the commencement of the session. This includes who the speaker works for, how long they have been in the service of the pharmaceutical company, their relationship with the sponsoring company, and their relationship with any other pharmaceutical companies.


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3.2.8 Where a speaker�s appearance is supported by a pharmaceutical company this must be noted in the event program.

3.2.9 Any educational material distributed at a session must be consistent with the requirements of Section 6 Education material

3.3 Publications and websites produced for the purpose of the AMSA

event 3.3.1 All advertisements and information in publications and on

websites associated with an AMSA event must be consistent with the requirements of Section 5.1 Publications and Section 5.2 Websites

3.4 Catering 3.4.1 When sponsoring the catering at the event, pharmaceutical

companies should be verbally acknowledged for their contribution. The verbal acknowledgement should only mention the name of the company, not a specific product or service.

3.4.2 Any meal breaks that are sponsored by a pharmaceutical company must be clearly noted at the point of food service as well as in the event program.

3.4.3 The nature of the food catered at meal breaks must be determined by the event organisers.

3.4.4 The nature of the food available at meal breaks and from trade displays must be simple and modest and no entertainment should be provided in line with similar events that do not have pharmaceutical company involvement.

3.4.5 Any food available at meal breaks and from trade displays must not contain any pharmaceutical product or company marketing.

3.5 Sponsorship of Social Program 3.5.1 Under no circumstance is there to be any support given by a

pharmaceutical company to any aspect of a social program at any AMSA event.

3.6 Venue selection 3.6.1 The selection of a venue for an AMSA event must not be unduly

influenced in any way by pharmaceutical companies. 3.6.2 The selection of venue must be suitable for the objectives and

goals of the AMSA event.


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3.6.3 The selection of venue must be able to withstand public and professional scrutiny and must conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

3.7 Pharmaceutical Representatives 3.7.1 The behaviour of pharmaceutical company representatives at

AMSA events must be able to withstand public and professional scrutiny and must conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

3.8 Sponsorship of medical students to attend AMSA events 3.8.1 Under no circumstances can a student or a delegation of

students attending an AMSA event be personally sponsored by a pharmaceutical company to attend that event. This includes costs associated with registration, accommodation and travel to the event.


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Section 4: Medical student society events This section covers:

• The involvement of pharmaceutical companies in: o Medical student society educational events; o Co-branded AMSA and medical student society events,

including Leadership Development Workshops; and o Any other events that medical student societies choose to

coordinate or organise. General Principle Medical student societies have the option to approach pharmaceutical companies to support the provision of educational and academic seminars for medical students. As key stakeholders in the medical industry, pharmaceutical companies have the resources and the means to deliver useful and relevant information that can potentially further medical student knowledge. However, it is imperative that these companies adhere to a code of acceptable conduct when participating or conducting these events. The Guidelines below are suggestions for the role of pharmaceutical involvement in educational events and academic affairs held at a local and state and level. 4.1. Presence 4.1.1. Pharmaceutical companies are able to receive verbal

acknowledgement of their support of the event. The verbal acknowledgement should only mention the name of the company, not a specific product or service.

4.1.2. Pharmaceutical companies are able to display signage to acknowledge their support of the event. There should be no signage advertising any specific products or services.

4.1.3. Other involvement with the content of the event should comply with Section 3.2 Sponsorship of event content.

4.2 Publications and websites produced for the purpose of the event 4.2.1 All advertisements and information in publications and on

websites associated with the event should be consistent with the requirements of Section 5.1 Publications and Section 5.2 Websites.

4.3 Catering


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4.3.1 All catering should comply with Section 3.4 Catering. 4.4 Venue selection 4.4.1 The selection of a venue for an event should not be unduly

influenced in any way by pharmaceutical companies.

4.5 Pharmaceutical Representatives 4.5.1 The behaviour of pharmaceutical company representatives at

events must be able to withstand public and professional scrutiny and must conform to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

4.6 Sponsorship of Social Events 4.6.1 Medical student societies are strongly discouraged sourcing

pharmaceutical sponsorship for any social events.


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Section 5: AMSA and medical student society publications This section covers:

• Pharmaceutical company advertising in: o Panacea; o The intern and residents guide; o National Convention publications; o Global Health Conference publications; o Global Health Network publications including Vector; o Any other publications which AMSA, its committees or sub-

committees should choose to produce; and o Any publications produced by medical student societies.

• Pharmaceutical company advertising on: o The AMSA website o The National Convention website, o The Global Health Conference website o The Global Health Network website o Any other websites controlled by AMSA, its committees or

sub-committees; and o Medical student society websites.

General Principle AMSA produces a number of publications each year which are distributed to the Australian medical student population. These publications present a fantastic opportunity for sponsors to reach Australia�s next generation of doctors. AMSA should ensure that pharmaceutical company sponsorship in any of its publications comply with industry professional standards. Medical student societies also produce a variety of publications for distribution to the local medical student market. Medical student societies should attempt to comply with the same industry standards as do AMSA publications. 5.1 Publications 5.1.1 Pharmaceutical companies may advertise in AMSA and medical

student society publications provided that: I. The advertisement promotes the company only; II. No reference to any PBS listed product is made within the

advertisement;


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III. The type size and graphics used in all promotional material is such that it is clearly legible;

IV. The advertisement is within the standard layout of the publication and is not in the form of loose inserts or separate flyers; and

V. The advertisement is able to withstand public and professional scrutiny and conforms to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

5.1.2 Any particular publication of 20 or more pages must have no more that 5% of its page content devoted to advertisements from Pharmaceutical companies. Any particular publication less than 20 pages must aim to have no more than one page devoted to advertisements from pharmaceutical companies.

5.1.3 No pharmaceutical company may have any editorial input to an AMSA or medical student society publication.

5.1.4 No pharmaceutical company commissioned articles are to be published in AMSA or medical student society publications.

5.2 Websites 5.2.1 Pharmaceutical companies may provide a banner, logo or

video style advertisement which can be displayed on AMSA websites, provided that:

I. The advertisement promotes the company only; II. No reference to any PBS listed product is made within the

advertisement; III. The type size and graphics used in all promotional

material is such that it is clearly legible. IV. The advertisement is able to withstand public and

professional scrutiny and conforms to professional and community standards of ethics and good taste.

5.2.2 This advertisement may link with the pharmaceutical company�s home page.

5.2.3 The advertisement must not link to any doctor or prescriber orientated pages or documents or any pages which reference any PBS listed product.


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Section 6: Educational material This section covers:

• Educational material provided to medical students by pharmaceutical companies or speakers at any educational event, including but not limited to AMSA and medical student society events.

• Educational material provided to medical students by pharmaceutical companies by any other means.

General Principle Educational material provided by pharmaceutical companies to medical students can be a highly beneficial resource. Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to ensure that such material is based on current best practice and recent research that has been published in peer reviewed journals. Such material must be accurate, unbiased and pertinent to a student�s study. 6.1. Educational material provided to medical students 6.1.1 Any educational material provided to medical students by a

pharmaceutical company or speaker sponsored by a pharmaceutical company must:

I. Be non-biased and be a balanced, true and accurate reflection of current peer-reviewed best practices;

II. Be supported by evidence from peer-reviewed journals; III. Accurately reflect the meaning of the author and the

significance of the study when citing statistics or quotations from medical literature or personal communications;

IV. Provide reference to the sources of information; V. Disclose any potential conflict of interest of the author of

the information; and VI. Only reference PBS listed products by their generic name.

Trade names must not be used. 6.1.2 A small company logo may be located on the material in a

discrete location. 6.2. Educational material accompanying a presentation at an AMSA

or medical student society event 6.2.1 A copy of any educational material being provided at an AMSA

or medical student society event must be provided to the organizers of the event on request at least two weeks prior to the


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event. 6.2.2 Any educational material being provided at an AMSA or

medical student society event must correspond closely with the content of the event.

6.2.3 Event organizers will have final say over whether educational material provided is suitable for the event.

Section 7: Educational Events This section covers:

• Medical student attendance at educational events which are organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.

General Principle

Continuing medical education (CME) is an important aspect of medical practice. CME is often delivered at educational events organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. While these educational events are primarily designed for doctors, medical students are commonly present. Attendance at educational events organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies can be highly beneficial to a student�s knowledge and is often an expectation of clinical placements. Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to ensure that these events are appropriate for medical students to attend and that the information provided is based on current best practice and recent research that has been published in peer reviewed journals. 7.1 Attendance at educational events 7.1.1 It is appropriate for medical students to attend educational

events organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies including but not limited to grand rounds, procedural workshops, and luncheons and dinners held on and off clinical premises, provided that:

I. The information provided is non-biased, balanced, true and accurately reflects current peer-reviewed best practices;

II. Evidence from peer-reviewed journals supports the information provided;

III. Information cited from medical literature accurately reflects the meaning of the author and the significance of the study;

IV. References to the sources of the information are given; V. Any potential conflicts of interest of the presenters at the


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event are disclosed; VI. The catering of the event is consistent with the

requirements of Section 3.4 Catering; VII. The choice of venue if the event is not held on clinical

premises is consistent with the requirements of Section 3.6 Venue selection; and

VIII. Promotional material distributed at the event is consistent with the requirements of Section 8.1 Promotional material.

7.1.2 Students invited to attend educational events organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies should first have had the opportunity to receive formal teaching on the effect that Pharmaceutical companies� marketing strategies can have on doctors, as outlined in Section 2.3 Medical Schools.

7.1.3 Medical student attendance at events without a substantial educational component organised or sponsored by a Pharmaceutical company to promote a PBS listed product is totally unacceptable.

7.2 Refusal to attend pharmaceutical sponsored events 7.2.1 Medical students should be able to refuse to attend an

educational event organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies without incurring academic penalty.

7.2.2 Information provided at educational events organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies should not contribute to assessment unless students have had an opportunity to access this information in an alternative setting.


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Section 8: Merchandise and promotional items


• Merchandise and promotional items supplied by pharmaceutical companies to medical students at any AMSA or medical student society event.

• The general provision of merchandise and promotional items to medical students by pharmaceutical company representatives.

General Principle The promotions that the pharmaceutical industry conducts can have clear benefits, such as promoting the appropriate use of established and new therapies and encouraging best practice; however, promotions and campaigns are also becoming increasingly intricate and inventive. Students need to be fully aware of the potential consequences of being the recipient of such merchandise and promotional items. The provision of merchandising and promotional items may influence future prescribing habits and create a sense of reciprocity to the pharmaceutical company which may ultimately compromise the individuals� professional integrity. Both pharmaceutical companies and medical students should be mindful of these potential consequences when considering their interactions. 8.1 Promotional material in the clinical setting 8.1.1 Pharmaceutical companies may provide medical students

merchandise and promotional items, provided that: I. The item is of a direct educational value such as print

journal resources, information booklet, textbook or examination aides;

II. If the item is not of a direct educational value the item should only be of token value, such as a pen or pad of


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paper; III. The item does not bring discredit to the student; IV. The item should be intended for use in a clinical setting

8.1.2 Company name reminders are not to contain any reference to any products listed on the PBS, including promotional tag lines, statements or graphics that are connected with any particular product.

8.1.3 Medical students should not accept any offers by pharmaceutical representatives of goods or services that are of an exclusive or exceptional nature such as meals or beverages outside of prearranged event catering.

8.2 Promotional material at AMSA and medical student society events 8.2.1 Promotional material provided at any AMSA or medical student

society events should comply with Section 8.1 Promotional material.

8.2.2 A copy of any merchandise being provided at an AMSA or medical student society event must be provided to the organizers of the event on request at least two weeks prior to the event for review.

Section 9: Competitions, gifts and offers This section covers:

• Any competitions organised or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies during an AMSA or medical student societies event

• Any competition organized or sponsored by a pharmaceutical company which is primarily aimed at medical students

• The provision of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to medical students.

9.1 Competitions 9.1.1 Competitions run by pharmaceutical companies for medical students must:

I. Be based entirely on medical knowledge or the acquisition of medical knowledge;

II. Not promote any products produced by the company; III. Only refer to any PBS listed product by its generic name;

and IV. Offer prizes that are of an educational nature or of a low

monetary value. 9.1.2 Personal details of the entrants must not be used for future


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correspondence, promotional campaigns or contact databases for pharmaceutical companies

9.1.3 Where an endearing prize has been donated, the pharmaceutical company may include a label, certificate or badge stating that the prize was donated by the pharmaceutical company. This label, certificate or badge must also state the recipient�s name as well as the year and name of the competition

9.1.4 The conduct of competitions shall comply in all respects with relevant State and Federal regulations

9.2 Gifts 9.2.1 No gifts or offers shall be provided to medical students by a

pharmaceutical company at any event organised by AMSA or a medical student society unless they are items that are sanctioned by:

I. Section 3.4 Catering II. Section 6 Education Material III. Section 8 Merchandise and promotional items IV. Section 9.1 Competitions V. Section 11 Bursaries VI. Any other relevant sections of this document

9.2.2 Monetary gifts from pharmaceutical companies to medical students are totally unacceptable


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Section 10: AMSA External Student Delegations This section covers:

• Pharmaceutical company support of AMSA delegate or delegations to international student conferences such as the IFMSA General Assembly, the Asian Medical Students� Conference and the East Asian Medical Students� Conference (hereafter collectively referred to as conferences).

• Pharmaceutical company support of AMSA and medical student society affiliated global aid projects

General Principle AMSA supports a number of delegations that attend medical conferences both internationally and domestically. It is recognised that attendance at many of these events may be cost-prohibitive for most students if it were not for the support of sponsors. Delegates or delegations who choose to seek financial support from pharmaceutical companies should be aware of and respect the conference organiser�s stance on the pharmaceutical sponsorship of medical students. 10.1 Registration fees 10.1.1 Sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies may be used to

subsidise the academic component of registration fees for conferences.

10.1.2 Where a registration fee includes the cost of the social program, money from the pharmaceutical company�s sponsorship cannot subsidise this aspect of the registration fee.

10.2 Pre- and Post-Conference tours 10.2.1 Financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company

cannot be used to subsidise the cost of pre- or post-conference tours.

10.3 Travel 10.3.1 Financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company can

be used to subsidise the cost of travel to a conference location, provided that;

I. Travel is economy class. The delegate or delegation may not fly business class or first class or undertake any upgrades;


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II. So long as safety measures are met, the cheapest provider of travel is taken;

III. The route taken to the conference location is the cheapest, most direct route available;

IV. If a delegate or delegation wishes to travel via an alternative route or with a company other than the cheapest provider, financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company is only used to subsidise the cheapest travel arrangements; and

V. The choice, route and cost of travel is able to withstand scrutiny from the AMSA Council.

10.4 Accommodation 10.4.1 Financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company can

be used to subsidise the cost of accommodation at a conference location, provided that:

I. The accommodation is for the time of the conference plus the night before the conference starts and the night after it finishes only;

II. The accommodation venue is recommended by the conference organisers or is an alternate venue of a modest nature;

III. The choice of accommodation is able to withstand scrutiny from the AMSA Council.

10.4.2 If a delegate or delegation wishes to stay at the venue for longer than section 5.4.1 allows, financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company cannot be used to subsidise the associated cost.

10.4.3 Any phone, mini-bar, room-service, damages, pay-TV, laundering or other additional costs associated with accommodation during the conference cannot be subsidised by financial support provided by a pharmaceutical company.

10.5 Meals 10.5.1 Where meals are not provided at the conference by the

conference organisers, money provided by pharmaceutical companies can be used to subsidise the cost of meals.

10.5.2 Unless local custom applies, no financial support from pharmaceutical companies can be used to purchase alcohol at these meals.

10.6 Recognition 10.6.1 In return for providing financial support to a delegate or

delegation, a pharmaceutical company can reasonably expect


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to be recognised in a similar fashion to other supporters. This may include;

I. The company logo on the delegation t-shirt; II. The company logo displayed and thanks given during

any presentation or address given by a delegate or delegation at the conference;

III. Thanks given in any report submitted by the delegate or delegation to AMSA;

IV. Thanks given in any report written by the delegate or delegation for the purposes of publication in an AMSA or medical student society publication.


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Section 11: Elective Bursaries This section covers:

• The provision of bursaries by pharmaceutical companies for medical students undertaking an interstate or overseas elective.

General Principle It is a requirement of many Australian medical programs that medical students undertake an interstate or overseas elective. A number of different companies offer bursaries for students to undertake such electives. If a pharmaceutical company chooses to offer a bursary or a number of bursaries to Australian medical students for the purpose of undertaking an interstate or overseas elective, a set of industry professional standards must apply. 11.1 Selection process 11.1.1 There should be a clear and unambiguous decision making

process to decide the recipient(s) of the bursary. 11.1.2 If the bursary is to be awarded by a competition it must comply

with Section 9.1 Competitions. 11.2 Nature of the elective 11.2.1 Students receiving a bursary from a pharmaceutical company to

undertake an elective must make sure that the educational content of the elective has merit and is it's primary purpose

11.2.2 Students should not nor should they be required to deliver any information, education or training to medical professionals or patients on any products produced by the pharmaceutical company.

11.2.3 Where a pharmaceutical company provides support for elective placements, such programs must not be offered or provided conditional upon any obligation to recommend a particular product, switch to a particular product or for the purpose of gaining future commitments of the student that would limit prescribing practices.

11.2.4 Students should be prepared to defend their use of a bursary supplied by a pharmaceutical company for electives to their medical school.

11.3 Value of support


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11.3.1 The value of the elective bursary should never exceed the cost of accommodation and travelling to the area in which the elective is located. The total cost must exclude the cost of normal permanent place of residence and normal costs of living such as food.

11.3.2 Bursary recipients must keep receipt of the costs associated with accommodation and traveling to an elective location. Any excess money from the bursary should be returned to the pharmaceutical company who provided the bursary.

11.3.3 The value of an individual bursary should be no greater than $2000

11.3.4 Multiple bursaries may be offered but the total value of these prizes should not exceed $20,000

11.3.5 Should the student be undertaking their elective in a developing country, pharmaceutical companies may provide students with a further amount of money up to the value of the bursary to purchase medical equipment to donate to the elective host hospital. It is the student�s responsibility to ensure the process of purchasing and donating the chosen goods must comply with local jurisdictions and cover sound moral judgment.


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Section 12: Research


• Pharmaceutical sponsorship of medical students conducting academic research:

o as a part of their MBBS/MD or MBBS/PhD degree; o as part of a BMedSci degree; o as a part of an Honors degree; o during a research elective; o in addition to the requirements of their MBBS degree.

General Principle At some point during their studies, many medical students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project. AMSA is supportive of the notion of medical students conducting research. It must be noted that Medical Research requires active cooperation between the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. Before participating in any research project, medical students should satisfy themselves that the relationship meets industry professional standards. 12.1 Nature of Research 12.1.1 The project must have genuine merit, not be detrimental to the

development of other more appropriate areas of research, be ethically defensible, socially responsible and scientifically valid

12.1.2 The participation of students in research activities sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry should always be preceded by formal approval of the project by an appropriate review body, which should also receive a report of the project upon its completion.

12.1.3 Such review should follow national Guidelines of the type promulgated by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Health Ethics Committee, and similar bodies.

12.1.4 The student should reserve the right to publish the results of their study at their own discretion irrespective of the permission/approval of the funding body.

12.1.5 Funding agreements between pharmaceutical companies and medical students must allow total freedom of the student to select which journals the student may seek to have their research published in.

12.2 Funding of Research


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12.2.1 All monies provided for research, should be held in trust for the specified purposes. Such an account should be available for audit.

12.2.2 Budget for the research project, including source distribution, should be subject to scrutiny by an Ethics Committee.


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Appendix 1: Procedural policy for the management of pharmaceutical company sponsorship applications

If any person or committee under AMSA�s auspices (including but not limited to AMSA Executive, employees, committees, sub-committees and working parties) or any individual acting on behalf of the association, wishes to seek sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company they must use the following procedure: 1.0 Categories of applicants 1.1 Applicants must identify which category of they belong to out of:

• AMSA Executive: includes sponsorship applications for AMSA major partnerships, all AMSA publications produced by the Executive (Panacea, Embolus, IRG, Exposed, Website, Subscribe to AMSA, Med Schools Guide and any other publications the Executive chooses to produce) and all events which are run by the AMSA Executive (NLDS, LRW, National Council, AMSA Annual, and any other events the Executive chooses to convene).

• AMSA Events: includes sponsorship applications for AMSA�s two premier events, the National Convention and the Global Health Conference. This category also includes any future AMSA event with a similar structure, whereby an AMSA committee convenes.

• Co-branded AMSA-Medical student society events or initiatives: includes sponsorship applications for any event or initiative that is co-organised between AMSA and a medical student society including but not limited to LDW�s, LRW seminars and national charity drive functions.

• External Delegations: includes sponsorship applications for students who will be attending an AMSA conference delegation within Australia or abroad, including but not limited to the IFMSA General Assembly, Asian Medical Students� Association Conference and East Asian Medical Students� Conference. This category also includes sponsorship applications from students who would like to attend a conference and co-represent AMSA with a specialist college, medical association or other group.

1.2 Each applicant must take note of the minor differences between different categories of applications.

2.0 Completing the application


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2.1 An application form must be downloaded from the AMSA website (www.amsa.org.au) (a template application form appears in Appendix 2) and completed with details including:

• the name and designation of the applicant; • the event or initiative for which pharmaceutical

sponsorship is being sourced; • the nature (financial and non-financial) and value of the

sponsorship being sourced; • how the sponsorship money, goods or services will be put

to use for the event or initiative; • the specific entitlements the pharmaceutical company will

receive in exchange for their sponsorship; • why you have chosen to seek pharmaceutical

sponsorship; • whether you have considered other relevant Guidelines

pertaining to pharmaceutical sponsorship as stipulated by parties involved in the event or initiative; and

• the date by which approval is required (no less than four weeks from lodgment date).

2.2 Depending on the category of applicant the application must be completed by:

• AMSA Executive: the AMSA Vice President in consultation with the AMSA Executive and AMSA Advisory Council;

• AMSA Event: the event convenor; • Co-branded AMSA-Medical student society events or

initiatives: the medical student society�s AMSA representative in consultation with the AMSA Vice President;

• External Delegation: each individual student who will attend the external delegation.

3.0 Initial Assessment by the AMSA Executive 3.1 The application must be submitted to the AMSA Vice President.

Where the AMSA Vice President has been involved in completing the application it must be submitted to the AMSA Executive Officer.

3.2 The AMSA Executive will meet to assess whether the application fulfills the requirements of the Guidelines. In doing this they will confer with the AMSA Advisory Council. Where the application has been submitted to the AMSA Executive it must be assessed by the Executive Officer.

3.3 If an application is found to fulfill the requirements of the Guidelines the application will be referred to the AMSA National Council.

3.4 If an application fails to comply with the Guidelines the application will be declined.


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3.5 The applicant will be advised in writing within two weeks of receipt of the application of the progression or failure of their application, and in the latter case, the reason for this.

3.6 If an application is declined the applicant is entitled to reapply immediately provided the reasons for the prior failure of the application have been addressed.

4.0 Referral to AMSA National Council 4.1 If an application is referred to the AMSA National Council it will

be debated at the next National Council meeting. In exceptional circumstances the AMSA Executive may, at their discretion, arrange for the AMSA National Council to be convened outside of the normal meeting schedule to debate the application.

4.2 The application must be referred to the AMSA National Council in writing at least two weeks prior to a vote on the application taking place.

4.3 Depending on the category of applicant the application will be presented to National Council by:

• AMSA Executive: the AMSA Vice President; • AMSA Event: the event convenor; • Co-branded AMSA-Medical student society events or

initiatives: the AMSA Vice President; • External Delegation: the AMSA Vice President.

4.4 The applicant(s) is not permitted to be present when the vote is conducted.

4.5 The motion to approve the application will be proposed by the AMSA Vice President. Where the AMSA Vice President is the applicant the motion to approve the application will be proposed by the Executive Officer.

4.6 The application will be approved or declined by a simple majority vote of the National Council.

4.7 National Council can choose to approve the application contingent upon any conditions it chooses to stipulate.

4.8 The applicant will be advised in writing of the success or failure of their application. No explanation of the latter is required to be provided.

4.9 If an application is declined the applicant is not entitled to reapply for approval to seek pharmaceutical sponsorship for the same event or initiative with the calendar year.

5.0 Post Approval 5.1 If an application is granted permission to seek pharmaceutical

company sponsorship the duration of the permission is for the calendar year unless otherwise stated.


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5.2 If an application is granted permission to seek pharmaceutical company sponsorship the process of sourcing sponsorship, contractual negotiations and delivery of contractual entitlements must be supervised by the AMSA Vice President to ensure the relationship adheres to the requirements of the Guidelines.

5.3 If a contract is entered into between the applicant and a pharmaceutical company the contract must stipulate that the requirements of the Guidelines are met at all times during the relationship.

5.4 For any AMSA event or initiative which obtains pharmaceutical sponsorship a report must be tabled detailing the relationship at the AMSA National Council following the conclusion of the event or initiative.

Medical student societies If a medical student society wishes to seek sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company they should attempt to comply with the Guidelines and the aforementioned application process. AMSA will not take any action against a medical student society who chooses not to comply with the Guidelines. Individual medical students If an individual medical student who is not acting in a representative capacity wishes to seek sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company they should attempt to comply with the Guidelines. AMSA will not take any action against a medical student who chooses not to comply with the Guidelines.


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Appendix 2: Application to AMSA Council for approval to seek pharmaceutical sponsorship

Name of applicant:

AMSA designation:

Phone number:

Email address:

Event/initiative for which pharmaceutical sponsorship will be sourced: The nature of the sponsorship which will be sourced (financial/goods/services):


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The total value of the sponsorship which will be sourced (AU$): How the money/goods/services will be put towards this event/initiative: The exact entitlements to be offered to the pharmaceutical company in return for sponsorship: The relevant section(s) of the Guidelines for interaction between pharmaceutical companies and Australian medical students which pertain to this application:


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Why you have chosen to seek pharmaceutical sponsorship for this event/initiative: Other relevant comments:


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I have read the Guidelines for interaction between pharmaceutical companies and Australian medical students and believe that this application adheres to the requirements set out in these Guidelines.

□

I have read the relevant regulations which pertain to pharmaceutical sponsorship as stipulated by other parties involved with this event/initiative (eg. medical student society, IFMSA) and believe that this application adheres to the requirements they set out.

□

I agree to uphold the requirements of all relevant Guidelines should my application be successful.

□Date by which the application must be approved (no less than four weeks from lodgment of application): Signature:

Date of lodgment:

Send your completed application to the Australian Medical Students� Association, PO Box 6099, Kingston ACT, 2604 or [email protected] for attention of the AMSA Vice President.

Documents

Australian Medical Students™ Association Guidelines for the … · 2017-03-29 · of AMSA, medical student societies and medical students This section covers: • How Pharmaceutical