Code of Practice
About the Code
The Medicines New Zealand Code of Practice (Code) exists to ensure high standards of ethical and responsible promotion of prescription medicines in New Zealand, and wherever possible, exceed those required by law.
The Code represents an act of self-regulation and acceptance and observance of the Code is a condition of membership of Medicines New Zealand. Member companies must comply with both the letter and spirit of the Code.
Pharmaceutical companies that are not members of Medicines New Zealand are invited to accept and observe the Code and must comply with its provisions where required by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Code of Practice Training
Code of Practice training sessions are run throughout the year, via Zoom. Each session is approximately 2.5 hours in duration and includes an overview of the Code along with interactive activities for attendees. The training is suitable as both an introductory session for new starters in the industry and also a refresher training session, and may be of interest to those who are working in Advertising and Healthcare communications and related fields for clients in the biopharmaceutical sector. Registration for the training is open to both members of Medicines New Zealand and non-members.
Members:
Code Training Sessions are included as part of membership benefits. Personnel from your company may attend an open attendance session or if you have a group of personnel that you would like to do the training then it may be possible to arrange a company-specific training session.
Non-Members:
There is a fee of $350 + GST for Non-Members to take Code of Practice Training.
Please fill out the form below to register your interest in Code training.
Code Updates
The Code of Practice is a living document ordinarily reviewed every three years to ensure that it remains up-to-date, clear and easy to interpret. Edition 17 effective from 1 September 2019, is the latest edition of the Code.
Download a copy of the 17th Edition of the Code of Practice
The review of the 17th Edition of the Medicines New Zealand Code of Practice was deferred in 2022 due to the uncertainty surrounding the Therapeutic Products Act.
As the Therapeutic Products Act has been repealed, a “bridging review” will take place. Interim guidance documents will be issued to ensure MNZ Members and non-members have current and sufficiently comprehensive guidance necessary to support operations in an ethical, socially responsible and legally compliant manner.
To ensure alignment with the latest iteration of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) Code of Practice which was released after the publication of Edition 17 Medicines New Zealand's Code of Practice two Supplementary Guidance notes have been released.
Download a copy of Supplementary Guidance note one (Effective 22 April 2021)
Download a copy of Supplementary Guidance note two (Effective 31 March 2022)
Code of Practice Enquiries
The Medicines New Zealand Secretariat is available to provide guidance concerning the Code of Practice. Should you require advice on the interpretation of the Code of Practice as it applies to your particular situation, you are welcome to get in touch.
Please note, whilst this advisory support is complimentary for our members, commercial entities who are not members of Medicines New Zealand will incur an enquiry fee of $150 + GST for advice given. This fee will be waived for members of the public, patient advocacy groups and not-for-profit organisations.
Code enquiries must be submitted using the form below.