Transport

Legislation: Not applicable.

MA Code of Conduct

Prescription pharmaceutical companies may sponsor travel for HCPs attending an international educational event in either economy or business class.  Domestic air travel within Australia, and international air travel to New Zealand is by economy class only.

The most direct route should be booked, without the allowance of more time at the destination than is reasonably justified to enable the HCP to effectively participate in the event/s.

Legislation: Not applicable.

MA Code of Conduct

No specific restrictions on train transportation.  Intercity business travel by train is not common in Australia.

Legislation: Not applicable.

MA Code of Conduct

Prescription pharmaceutical companies may provide travel to HCPs only in direct association with educational event/s or to undertake a consulting service.

Economy class air travel only. Exceptionally, business class air travel may be allowed where the following conditions are met:

• The HCPs participate in the scientific event as a consultant;
• The outward and/or return flight is longer than six hours, excluding flyovers.

Statutory Laws

No specific rules. Any specifics must be assessed on the case-by-case basis.

INTERFARMA

The offering of first-class tickets for Healthcare Professionals or Healthcare-related Professionals is not allowed.

SINDUSFARMA

No specific rules. Any specifics must be assessed on the case-by-case basis.

ABIMIP

No specific rules. Any specifics must be assessed on the case-by-case basis.

Statutory Laws

No specific rules. Any specifics must be assessed on the case-by-case basis.

INTERFARMA

Expenses with transportation are limited to the event itself and are related solely to the invited professional, and may be extended to the days immediately before and immediately after the official agenda, in case logistics and transport issues justify such extension.

SINDUSFARMA

Members can sponsor or reimburse expenses with travel tickets of the health area professionals in national and international events, during the period of the event, which can be extended to the days immediately prior to or after the official agenda, for logistics, locomotion and transportation purposes that will justify granting this sponsorship.

ABIMIP

No specific rules. Any specifics must be assessed on the case-by-case basis.

Statutory Laws and Regulations

No specific rules.

Codes of Conduct

Code of Ethics for Chinese Medical Doctors

No specific rules.

RDPAC Code

Member companies may pay for transportations that are appropriate for the meeting destination, but should avoid extravagant transportation services (Article 7).

AdvaMed China Code

Companies may provide for reasonable flights and incidental expenses for HCP travel. Companies  are  encouraged  to  pay  for  flights directly  where practical.  Reimbursement of travel-related expenses over RMB 500 should not be made in cash (Article IX).

RTVSS: It has no specific restriction or limitation. Nonetheless, pharmaceuticals financing travel and transportation payments that exceed one (1) minimum monthly wage during a six-month period to the same recipient must be reported. 

The minimum monthly wage for 2020 is: COP $877.803 or approximately USD $260. 

The six-month periods go from January to June, and July until December of each year.

AFIDRO'S Code of Ethics: Hospitality sponsorship may only include guest’s travel costs, which must be moderated and reasonable, no distinction is made for air travel. 

ANDI's Code of Ethics and Transparency: It sets the same standard as AFIDRO’S Code of Ethics.

RTVSS: It has no specific restriction or limitation. Nonetheless, pharmaceuticals financing travel and transportation payments that exceed one (1) minimum monthly wage during a six-month period to the same recipient must be reported. 

The minimum monthly wage for 2020 is: COP $877.803 or approximately USD $260. 

The six-month periods go from January to June, and July until December of each year. 

AFIDRO'S Code of Ethics: Hospitality sponsorship may only include travel costs of the guest, which must be moderated and reasonable, no distinction is made for train travel. 

ANDI's Code of Ethics and Transparency: It sets the same standard as AFIDRO’S Code of Ethics.

RTVSS: None. 

AFIDRO'S Code of Ethics: None. 

ANDI's Code of Ethics and Transparency: None.

The Ordinance: no specific provisions, see general rules above.

The Code: as a main rule, travel expenses may be paid only for economy class air travel. Exceptionally, business class shall be also deemed acceptable, provided that the flight in one direction from the place of residence of the participant of the event to the venue exceeds 4 hours in continuity.

The Ordinance: no specific provisions, see general rules above.

The Code: no specific rules.

The Ordinance: no specific provisions, see general rules above.

The Code: no specific rules.

No specific rules.

No specific rules.

No specific rules.

Economy class air travel maximum for flights within Europe and premium economy air class travel for oversea flights maximum. Business class air travel may exceptionally be allowed by ENLI. Business class is acceptable in all instances where the traveler is wheel-chair bound or otherwise disabled.

Air travel in First Class (where First Class is at a level above Business Class) is never permitted (ENLI, Guidance on "The Pharmaceutical Industry's Code of Practice on Promotion etc., of Medicinal Products aimed at Healthcare Professionals" (The Promotion Code), p. 62). 

Directive

No specific rules.

EFPIA

No specific rules.

IFPMA

No specific rules.

No specific rules.

The Finnish Medicines Act or Degree 

No specific rules 

Code of Ethics issued by Pharma Industry Finland 

No specific rules 

See the general principles on hospitality in Accommodation.

The Finnish Medicines Act or Degree 

No specific rules 

Code of Ethics issued by Pharma Industry Finland 

No specific rules 

See the general principles on hospitality in Accommodation.

The Finnish Medicines Act or Degree 

No specific rules 

Code of Ethics issued by Pharma Industry Finland 

No specific rules 

See the general principles on hospitality in Accommodation.

The transport must be of reasonable value and strictly limited to the purpose of the event.

It must be provided for in a written contract between the company and the HCP.

Such contract must be submitted to the relevant authority/professional association for prior (i) declaration or (ii) authorization, depending on the amounts at stake.

Please note that business class tickets and sumptuary expenses will likely be refused.

Key information (including the name of the company and the HCP, the date of the contract, the amount and type of benefit granted to the HCP) must be disclosed on the French public health transparency website.  

Economic class recommended

The HCP must provide invoices

StGB

No specific rules. However, the general principles outlined above apply.

HWG

No specific rules. However, the general rules and restrictions on providing financial inducements and other gifts to HCPs may apply.

UWG

No specific rules.

FSA Code of Conduct Healthcare Professionals

Air travel is permitted if and to the extent appropriate and necessary for the arrival and departure at the venue (on the most direct route possible). Generally, only economy class air travel is permitted for intra-European flights. Business class air travel is permitted for intercontinental flights. First class air travel is generally not appropriate.

StGB

No specific rules. However, the general principles outlined above apply.

HWG

No specific rules. However, the general rules and restrictions on providing financial inducements and other gifts to HCPs may apply.

UWG

No specific rules.

FSA Code of Conduct Healthcare Professionals

Train travel is permitted if and to the extent appropriate and necessary for the arrival and departure at the venue (on the most direct route possible). First class train tickets are generally considered appropriate.

Economy class air travel only.  Exceptionally, business class tickets may be offered in case of flights lasting for at least four hours.

No specific rules

The Prevention of Bribery Ordinance

No specific rules. 

HKAPI Code of Practice

Standard economy class should be provided to professionals for one-way flight time of 5 hours or less (para 5.2(a)).

Standard economy class should also be the prioritised consideration for one-way flight time of more than 5 hours (and not include any travel or other sponsorship for their family members or companions) (para 5.2(a)).

Gratuitous payments in cash (equivalents), including free flight upgrades, must not be offered to HCPs under any circumstances (para 6.1). 

Code of Conduct

No specific rules.

The Notice

A prescribed officer may accept any air, sea or overland passage given to or made available to him in his private capacity by a tradesman, firm, company, organisation or association by virtue of:

• the terms on which his spouse/parent/child is employed
• his membership of any organisation/association
• his or his spouse/ parent/ child being  regular customer, or
• in the normal course of business  (s. 4(1))

The above permission only applies if the advantage is equally available on equal terms to persons who are not prescribed officers, and if the donor of the advantage has no official dealings with the prescribed officer.

FCC and its guidelines

Air travel sponsored by pharmaceutical companies for HCPs as a means of unjustifiably inducing purchases of pharmaceutical drugs is prohibited.

However, reimbursing transport expenses incurred for business activities that pharmaceutical companies delegate to HCPs with objectively reasonable purposes are not restricted under the FCC.

FCC and its guidelines

Same as air travel.

In case of flights of less than six consecutive hours, only lowest class offered. In case of flights of six or more hours (excluding flyovers) where two classes are available, either class. However, in cases of flights of six or more consecutive hours where three or more classes are available, the best offered class may not be offered.

Flexible flight tickets may only be offered if there is adequate justification (e.g. luggage fees or because the activity may end sooner than expected) and must be accompanied by a statement that the flexibility will not be used to make changes to accommodate personal travel.

Additionally, compensation for travel may occur as following:

Car: 0.37€ /km;

Taxi: full in addition to public transport.

Compensation for travel time may only be for time during working hours.  Compensation for preparation may be paid, however both Travel Time and Preparation cannot both be paid.

Medicines New Zealand Code of Practice

• Flights must be booked directly by the sponsoring company, unless that would be impracticable.
• Domestic travel must be economy class.
• International travel may be business class where the flight exceeds 5 hours.  First class travel is prohibited.

There are no relevant restrictions relating to train travel in particular.

Intercity business travel by train is not common in New Zealand.

Medicines New Zealand Code of Practice

• Travel may be provided only if the meeting content relates to the HCP's area of expertise, their origin justifies reimbursement, and the expenses are verified.

Royal Australian College of Physicians Guidelines

• Generally, attendees should meet the cost of travelling to pharmaceutical industry events.
• If HCPs do accept financial support to meet the costs of travelling, they should be satisfied that this will not lead to a perceived loss of professional independence.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

No specific rules except the general extravagant or luxurius test referred to under Event venue.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

No specific rules except the general extravagant or luxurius test referred to under Event venue.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules and Agreement between the pharmaceutical industry and the regional hospitals

It is not allowed to pay for travel and/or accommodation for HCPs from Norway to participate in third party events in countries outside of Norway ("congress ban"). It is also prohibited to pay for travel and accommodation for HCPs from public hospitals (No. helseforetak) to participate in events (whether local or international).

Polish Pharmaceutical Law

No specific rules.

INFARMA

No specific rules.

PZPPF

Flights must be booked in economy class; business class flights may only be refunded in exceptional circumstances where justified.

Polish Pharmaceutical Law

No specific rules.

INFARMA

No specific rules.

PZPPF

Travel should always be on the most direct and logical route, taking into account the costs to the enterprise. Breaks in travel, side trips and travel extensions financed or facilitated by the company are prohibited.

As far as it is possible from a logistical point of view, arrivals and departures should coincide with the beginning and end of the meeting.

No specific rules.

The companies will be directly responsible for the payment of the necessary expenses (airplane tickets or train, etc.). No monetary reimbursement can be made to the HCPs for expenses incurred that come from suppliers that should have been paid directly by the pharmaceutical company, except in the case of minor travel expenses (cabs, mileage, etc.) with due justification of the same.

If no management policy exists, class of travel depends on duration of the flight.

Medical product companies are expected to have pre-set thresholds for upgrading from economy to business and business to first class.

Subject to the below, companies should only offer or provide economy air travel to delegates sponsored to attend meetings. Delegates may organize and pay at their own expense the genuine cost of an upgrade. 

For flights that are scheduled to take longer than 6 hours, companies may pay for an upgrade from economy to premium economy or similar.

Federal Law & Implementing Regulations, & Government-Issued Guidance: The laws and regulations do not specifically enumerate or define "appropriate" versus "inappropriate" air travel, but enforcement action and settlement history show that selection is likely to impact the government’s perception of potential intent to induce or reward. In addition, the HHS-OIG Guidance specifically notes that companies providing benefits, including travel, in association with information or marketing presentations could potentially implicate the AKS. The HHS-OIG Guidance states generally, with respect to entertainment, recreation, travel, meals, gifts, gratuities, and other business courtesies that the AKS should be considered and that "compliance with the PhRMA Code with respect to these arrangements should substantially reduce a manufacturer’s risk." 68 Fed. Reg. 23,721, 23,738 (May 5, 2003). See below. 

State Laws & Implementing Regulations: A number of states with laws of this type incorporate an expectation that travel expenses must be "reasonable" to be covered. 

Industry Codes of Conduct: The PhRMA Code indicates that, even in circumstances in which covering travel expenses is otherwise considered appropriate under the guidance, reimbursement should be limited to "reasonable" travel expenses. The AdvaMed Code also provides that travel costs for HCPs, where permitted, must be "modest and reasonable under the circumstances."

Federal Law & Implementing Regulations, & Government-Issued Guidance: The laws and regulations do not specifically enumerate or define "appropriate" versus "inappropriate" train transportation, but enforcement action and settlement history show that selection is likely to impact the government’s perception of potential intent to induce or reward. In addition, the HHS-OIG Guidance specifically notes that companies providing benefits, including travel, in association with information or marketing presentations could potentially implicate the AKS. The HHS-OIG Guidance states generally, with respect to entertainment, recreation, travel, meals, gifts, gratuities, and other business courtesies that the AKS should be considered and that “compliance with the PhRMA Code with respect to these arrangements should substantially reduce a manufacturer’s risk.”  68 Fed. Reg. 23,721, 23,738 (May 5, 2003).  See below. 

State Laws & Implementing Regulations: A number of states with laws of this type incorporate an expectation that travel expenses must be "reasonable" to be covered. 

Industry Codes of Conduct: The PhRMA Code indicates that, even in circumstances in which covering travel expenses is otherwise considered appropriate under the guidance, reimbursement should be limited to "reasonable" travel expenses.  The AdvaMed Code also provides that travel costs for HCPs, where permitted, must be "modest and reasonable under the circumstances."

Federal Law & Implementing Regulations, & Government-Issued Guidance: The laws and regulations do not specifically enumerate or define "appropriate" versus "inappropriate" travel considerations, but enforcement action and settlement history show that selection is likely to impact the government’s perception of potential intent to induce or reward. In addition, the HHS-OIG Guidance specifically notes that companies providing benefits, including travel, in association with information or marketing presentations could potentially implicate the AKS. The HHS-OIG Guidance states generally, with respect to entertainment, recreation, travel, meals, gifts, gratuities, and other business courtesies that the AKS should be considered and that "compliance with the PhRMA Code with respect to these arrangements should substantially reduce a manufacturer's risk." 68 Fed. Reg. 23,721, 23,738 (May 5, 2003). See below. 

State Laws & Implementing Regulations: Some states detail restrictions on payments for travel for non-faculty HCPs.  For example, New Jersey prohibits any payment or direct subsidy to a non-faculty prescriber for the costs of travel associated with attending any education event or promotional activity. 

Industry Codes of Conduct: The PhRMA Code indicates that, even in circumstances in which covering travel expenses is otherwise considered appropriate under the guidance, reimbursement should be limited to "reasonable" travel expenses.  The AdvaMed Code also provides that travel costs for HCPs, where permitted, must be "modest and reasonable under the circumstances."