Asia - Rx&D and MEDEC Applaud APEC Endorsement of Principles for Pharmaceutical Industry Code of Ethics

The national associations, Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and MEDEC - Canada's Medical Technology Companies applaud the endorsement by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) of the Kuala Lumpur Principles for Medical Device Sector Codes of Ethics, and the Mexico City Principles for Voluntary Codes of Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector.

These principles are to be adopted by industry associations and pharmaceutical companies throughout the 21 APEC member economies.

"Rx&D congratulates this work undertaken by APEC. The process of engaging representatives from academia, government and industry support the development of a very strong set of ethical principles to be adopted by every member country of APEC," said Russell Williams, President of Rx&D. "Ethical relationships with health care professionals, governments and stakeholders are critical to the pharmaceutical industry's mission of ensuring that patients come first. 

In Canada, the innovative pharmaceutical industry has embedded corporate ethics, responsibility and accountability into the very fabric of our organizational culture for over 20 years. The recent changes to the Rx&D Code of Ethical Practices marks our renewed pledge and commitment to ensuring our practices benefit patients and enhances the practice of medicine," he added.

"As we work to enhance patient care and give patients access to life-saving medical technology, it is important for industry to maintain ethical interactions with health care practitioners," said Stephen Dibert, President and CEO of MEDEC. "MEDEC applauds APEC for launching a program to spearhead a common set of ethical principles among its member countries. 

We look forward to continued work with APEC countries as they implement the code of ethics." Early in 2011, MEDEC signed the Transatlantic Principles on Global Ethical Interactions with other global medical technology associations, and later was pleased to partner with APEC as they began the process to formulate a common set of ethical principles.

About Rx&D

Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents 15,000 men and women working for 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.

About MEDEC

MEDEC is the national association representing the medical technology industry in Canada. Our members are committed to providing safe and innovative medical technologies that enhance patient care and advance patient outcomes. The medical technology industry in Canada employs over 35,000 Canadians in close to 1,500 corporate facilities. We are committed to ensuring that Canada has a strong and vibrant medical technology industry.

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