The Medicines (Advertising) Regulations 1994

Inducements and hospitality

21.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2)

and (4), where relevant medicinal products are being promoted to persons qualified to prescribe or supply relevant medicinal products, no person shall supply, offer or promise to such persons any gift, pecuniary advantage or benefit in kind, unless it is inexpensive and relevant to the practice of medicine or pharmacy.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1)

shall not prevent any person offering hospitality (including the payment of travelling or accommodation expenses) at events for purely professional or scientific purposes to persons qualified to prescribe or supply relevant medicinal products, provided that—

(a) such hospitality is reasonable in level,

(b) it is subordinate to the main scientific objective of the meeting and

(c) it is offered only to health professionals.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), no person shall offer hospitality (including the payment of travelling or accommodation expenses) at a meeting or event held for the promotion of relevant medicinal products unless—

(a) such hospitality is reasonable in level,

(b) it is subordinate to the main purpose of the meeting or event, and

(c) the person to whom it is offered is a health professional.

(4) Nothing in this regulation shall affect measures or trade practices relating to prices, margins or discounts which were in existence on 1st January 1993.

(5) No person qualified to prescribe or supply relevant medicinal products shall solicit or accept any gift, pecuniary advantage, benefit in kind, hospitality or sponsorship prohibited by this regulation.