Singapore: Revisions to the APACMed Code effective from 1 January 2024

15 May 2023    2 minute read
Sectors Healthcare & Life Sciences

In brief

The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) Code of Ethical Conduct (APACMed Code) has been revised to include further clarification around gifts. The revisions are effective from 1 January 2024.

Contents

In depth

As background, the APACMed is a regional association in the medical technology industry in the Asia Pacific. There are country industry associations that are members of the APACMed, including those from Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Philippines.

The APACMed Code is intended to facilitate ethical interactions between APACMed member companies and healthcare professionals (HCPs) and healthcare organisations (HCOs). In particular, the APACMed Code provides standards for the APACMed members to meet the highest ethical standards, preserve HCPs' independent decision-making and reinforce public confidence in the integrity of patient care, treatment and product and service selection.

Presently, the APACMed Code imposes a prohibition on gift giving and entertainment to HCPs directly or indirectly. APACMed members must also not provide or arrange recreation activities or entertainment for HCPs.

The proposed revisions to section 5 expands on what constitutes "gifts". In particular, it states that "gifts" includes the following:

  • Items which are neither educational nor patient related (e.g. office supplies, scrubs, electronic equipment capable of personal use, mugs), even if of minimal value, and irrespective whether such items are branded (with a company or product name or logo) or not; 
  • Cultural courtesies such as cookies, wine, tobacco, flowers, chocolates, gift baskets, holiday gifts or cash/cash equivalents (e.g. gift cards, vouchers), irrespective of the occasion (e.g. major life event such as birthday, birth, wedding, demise, etc).

The latest version of the APACMed Code may be found here.

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Contact Information
Andy Leck
Principal
Singapore
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andy.leck@bakermckenzie.com
Ren Jun Lim
Principal
Singapore
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ren.jun.lim@bakermckenzie.com

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