There are several means by which financial transactions and other ‘transfers of value’ (e.g. provision of hospitality) may occur between pharmaceutical companies and health professionals and other external stakeholders. In the past these transactions have not always been totally transparent which has led to criticism of the industry (as well as criminal prosecutions and large fines in some cases).

The key principle to remember is that the general public should be able to trust their health professional to recommend, administer or purchase appropriate care and treatments based solely on clinical evidence and experience. Their decisions should not be unduly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.

This means that support must not, in any way, be offered, promised or made as an incentive or reward for any past, present or future willingness to prescribe, administer, approve, supply or use products or services sold or provided by AstraZeneca, or to obtain or retain business, or to gain any other business advantage for AstraZeneca.

The industry has become more transparent than in the past and now some form of public disclosure of ‘transfers of value’ has become a requirement in most countries.

As a nominated signatory you will need to consider the acceptability and the transparency of any transfers of value related to projects and activities that you are asked to approve. The scope is broad and we will consider several examples of different types of value transfer in this module. Always consult the AstraZeneca Standard “Items of value and Hospitality” and other relevant Standards and SOPS, including your local procedures, remembering that local regulations may vary considerably from country to country.