OTTAWA, Nov. 11, 2011 /CNW/ - 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.
