In January 2006 the ABPI (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry) introduced a Code of Practice for its members. This code outlines the professional, ethical and transparent working practices which the ABPI recommends to those members.

Within the Code of Practice, there are clauses which relate to venue choice, hospitality and meeting content for Health Care Professionals, which, if breached can result in serious fines and, in a worst case scenario, imprisonment.

Here at Conference Selection, we recognise that certain clauses within the code will have a major impact on meeting planners within the UK pharmaceutical industry.

As a direct consequence of its introduction, all staff at Conference Selection have undergone extensive training with an industry recognised consultant in order to be aware of the pitfalls the Code holds for pharmaceutical meeting planners and their third party agents.

We feel this will enable our staff to discuss, help, and, if necessary, advise meeting planners on venues, destinations, hospitality and costs which do, or do not, comply with the Code of Practice.

As a result of this training, Conference Selection feel confident that we can offer the following benefits to Pharmaceutical Meeting Planners:

• Compliance awareness relating to venues.
• Examples on PMCPA cases relating to the Code of Practice.
• Search information for Job Bag Inclusion.
• Compliance awareness relating to hospitality.
• Detailed venue information for the Final Signatories.
• Over twenty years experience in finding venues for the pharmaceutical industry.

We realise the importance that organisers are placing upon the Code and we are here to help and discuss any venue or hospitality issue which arises.

If you have an issue which you feel needs discussion, or if we can help in your venue finding, please contact us on + 44 (0) 118 942 1177 or e-mail us at confselect@aol.com