BCD M&I Joins Roster Of U.K. Pharma Meeting Providers
July 7, 2010, 10:55 AMBy Amon CohenBCD Meetings & Incentives became an affiliate member of
the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on June 18, it announced
this week. ABPI enforces the code of practice that governs the staging of
meetings by United Kingdom-base pharmaceutical companies. As in the rest of
Europe, there are strict rules governing issues such as how much can be spent
on meetings involving doctors and other medical professionals, and even how
much time at an event can be devoted to leisure activities.
BCD M&I becomes the fifth conference company to obtain
ABPI affiliate membership, joining Banks Sadler, Jigsaw Conferences, Maritz
Europa and Trinity Conferences. Europe, Middle East and Africa vice president
for business development Matthew Wall said U.K. staff undertook rigorous
compliance training in preparation for the membership application.
"It is not one of those associations where you simply
pay £200 to become a member," Wall said. "All our staff had to
familiarize themselves with the regulations. This is almost a kitemark of
quality that we are able to serve the pharmaceutical industry and can put our
knowledge to good use for clients. It tells pharma companies that we have been
through the training."
Forty-six percent of BCD M&I’s business globally is in
the pharmaceutical sector. All European Union countries have either voluntary
or compulsory codes of practice governing meetings. In the U.K., companies
which breach the code are named and shamed publicly.