UMORE - Pharmacy
Program 1
Program 1: Medicines Australia Code of Conduct
The Medicines Australia’s Code of Conduct sets an accountable standard for appropriate and ethical decision-making by companies when promoting prescription products and interacting with healthcare professionals, patient organisations, the general public and other stakeholders. Program 1 incorporates case studies, interactive learning opportunities, videos, quizzes and real-life scenarios to support skill development. Program 1 is now based on the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct Edition 20 which came into effect on 30th March 2025.
This Program is required for anyone involved in promoting, or providing education on, prescription medicines in Australia. Program 1 is comprised of 7 modules and is estimated to take approximately 20 hours to complete.
For you to fully understand Governance of the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct, it is important that you understand:
- how complaints are adjudicated
- the possible sanctions that can be imposed
- the role of the Monitoring Committee.
This Module will discuss each of these operations.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Describe the role of Medicines Australia
- Comprehend the Overarching Principles of the Code of Conduct and recognise the ways in which these apply to your professional role
- Understand how application of the Code of Conduct supports quality use of medicines and maintains trust and confidence in the pharmaceutical industry
- Evaluate what makes promotional materials and communication balanced and consistent with the principles of the Code of Conduct
- Apply the principles of the Code of Conduct to interactions with and education of healthcare professionals, patients and carers, patient organisations, the general public and other stakeholders
- Apply the principles of the Code of Conduct to educational events and sponsorship, hospitality, travel and accommodation provisions for healthcare professionals
- Describe company responsibilities and considerations relating to financial arrangements with healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations
- Consider the appropriate provision of product starter packs and registered medicines at reduced cost
- Evaluate the purpose and legitimate need for engagement in scientific exchange with healthcare professionals, the scientific community and other relevant stakeholders
- Describe the intent and requirements for market research activities as guided by the Code of Conduct
- Assess the ethical engagement of companies with consumer media and social media
- Evaluate appropriate collaboration and support for patient organisations
- Understand the Code of Conduct's transparency reporting and disclosure requirements
- Describe the Code of Conduct’s administration and governance
Module contents
This module provides you with an overview of Medicines Australia and an introduction to the Code of Conduct.
In this module you will learn about interacting with healthcare professionals ethically and the ethical principles relating to the supply of materials to them.
In this module you will learn about conducting and attending educational events held by your company and third parties, including the ethical provision of hospitality, travel, accommodation and sponsorship for events.
In this module, we look into various types of interactions with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, including the manner in which valuable scientific information can be delivered to increase understanding; support to improve patient care, education and research; the ethical provision of medicines at no or reduced cost; and conducting market research to inform and enhance the quality use of medicines.
In this module you will learn about ethically interacting with non-healthcare professional stakeholders, such as patients, patient organisations, media, government, and the general public.
In this module you will learn about requirements for transparently reporting interactions with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
This module will help you to understand governance of the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct how complaints are adjudicated, possible sanctions and the role of the Monitoring Committee.
Video: CEP graduate Joshua Hogben talks about what Program 1 taught him about professional interactions with healthcare professionals. Duration 0:50.
For more information on this or other UMORE courses, and to enrol, sign up to our iLearn website.