Marketing ethically
Our commitment is to deliver ethical sales and marketing practices that meet or exceed the standards set by external regulations and codes of practice, all designed to protect and advance patient health. AstraZeneca U.S. codes of practice are in line with our global code of conduct and policies.
The AstraZeneca Promotional Regulatory Affairs (PRA) team assists with interpreting and applying FDA regulations pertaining to prescription drug advertising and promotions. This team of individuals with regulatory, scientific, and legal backgrounds focuses specifically on approving promotional or scientific materials for release, to ensure that these meet all applicable internal and external code requirements. The PRA team provides unbiased advice and support to the Sales and Marketing, Medical, and R&D organizations to support the planning and development of promotional and non-promotional materials and activities intended for, or involving, health care professionals, health care professional organizations, government officials, community organizations, or the general public.
AstraZeneca works with physicians to educate other health care professionals on the use, safety, and benefits of our medicines. Patients ultimately benefit when physicians are well-informed and knowledgeable about our medicines, treatment options, and standards of care. Before physicians can speak on our behalf, they must participate in extensive training on our medicines, our policies, and the laws and regulations that apply to company-sponsored presentations.
AstraZeneca believes it is appropriate and ethical to compensate health care professionals for the work they do on our behalf. Physicians who speak about our products are compensated at a fair market value based on the physician’s qualifications and the amount of time required to provide the service. We have policies in place to ensure that our payments to physicians do not create conflicts of interest or otherwise influence the decisions these physicians make in treating patients. In addition, we are working to ensure full transparency surrounding payments to physicians, and in other areas where patients and other interested stakeholders have voiced concern over manufacturer influence.
For example, AstraZeneca now posts the following information in the transparency section of our site:
- Payments and other transfers of value provided to US-based physicians
- Payments to US-based medical and research institutions
- Contributions to nonprofit organizations
- Details of new and ongoing clinical trials sponsored by AstraZeneca
- Biannual reports of our independent medical education grants to educational provider organizations
- Political contributions
- Post-marketing study commitments