Items of modest value may be given to external stakeholders, patients and third parties under certain circumstances. These are covered in the Global Standard on Items of Value and Hospitality. The provision of these items should not be linked to promotion of medicines.

A Third Party engaged to provide Services must not give any gift to anyone on behalf of the Company. A Third Party must not give any other Item of Value to anyone on behalf of the Company, unless this service has been specifically authorised in a signed contract between the Company and the Third Party.

Items of modest value may generally be given (subject to relevant approval) under the following categories (click on each for more info):

1. External stakeholder educational items
2. Patient items and programmes (covered in a separate module)
3. Samples

Gifts such as sympathy gifts (to express sympathy for bereavement or serious illness of the recipient) and certain cultural courtesy gifts (to acknowledge a significant national, cultural or religious holiday or event) may also be given in line with local regulations and with appropriate approval.