The new guide launched by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) highlights the role the pharmaceutical industry plays in setting out the information aimed to provide high-quality healthcare and supporting clinicians dealing with challenging prescribing decisions.
According to the guide, resources from the pharmaceutical industry available to help guide appropriate prescribing include the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), medical information and pharmacovigilance expertise, and medical advisers who can provide information and data as needed, including when it might be appropriate not to prescribe.
The report includes examples of the Medical Information Service (MIS) and the type of information provided to assist clinicians with their decisions in specific cases. MIS are provided in the UK by many pharma companies for healthcare professionals, patients and the public via telephone or email. MIS personnel are trained to provide balanced information and advice on all clinical aspects of medicines. The report also highlights the responsibilities of industry under the ABPI Code of Practice when interacting with healthcare professionals and organisations.