The EOF Circular no 106329/15.12.2014, regulating the management of scientific events, was repealed by its decision 34212/18.5.2015. The latter stated that ΕΟF’s prior Circular no 64740/1.9.2013 will be back in force until the publication of a new circular. It is noteworthy that EOF’s latest Circular had raised several questions on issues such as the obligation to acquire an educational leave as well as the increase in hospitality costs that each company could cover as sponsor.
This is therefore the time to remind you certain key points included in EOF’s prior circular which is now back in force:
- HCP (Health Care Professionals) sponsored by companies under EOF’s authorization who wish to participate in type A’ scientific events in Greece or abroad must acquire a leave for educational purposes.
- Prior sponsorship limits are reinstated depending on the type of each scientific event. Hence:
- For International (Global or European) scientific events hosted in Greece by foreign scientific entities or in association with a Greek scientific entity, each sponsoring company is allowed to make a contribution of up to €50.000.
- For scientific events with a duration of at least 3 days and more than 100 participants, hosted in Greece by Greek scientific entities, each sponsoring company is allowed to make a contribution of up to €30.000.
- For scientific events with a duration of at least 2 days and more than 100 participants, each sponsoring company is allowed to make a contribution of up to €20.000.
- For scientific events with a duration of at least 1 day and independently of the number of participants each sponsoring company is allowed to make a contribution of up to €10.000.
- Finally, the duration of scientific events hosted by hospitals, university clinics, laboratories and ESY clinics must not be longer than 2 days and each sponsoring company under EOF’s authorization is allowed to make a contribution of up to €2.500, while the total amount of all sponsorships must not exceed €10.000
- Prior hospitality costs in Greece and abroad regarding HCPs sponsoring are reinstated. In particular:
- For scientific events held in Greece in which HCP participate and are sponsored by companies, meal costs must not exceed €70 per day (VAT incl.), while accommodation costs must not exceed €140 (VAT incl.)
- For scientific events held abroad in which HCP participate and are sponsored by companies, meal costs must not exceed €70 per day (VAT non incl.), while accommodation costs must not exceed €280 (VAT incl.)
- Prior hospitality costs in Greece and abroad regarding HCPs sponsoring are reinstated. In particular:
The maximum number of participations per company in scientific events in Greece and/or abroad is also back in force:
- The annual number of participations of a HCP sponsored by companies under EOF’s authorization, in order to participate in scientific events in Greece must not be over 5 per event.
- The number of participations of HCPs sponsored by companies under EOF’s authorization, in order to participate in scientific events within Europe must not be over 30 per company/event. The number of company-sponsored HCP North American scientific event participations under EOF’s authorization must not be over 10 per company/event.
- Finally, the number of participations of HCPs sponsored by companies under EOF’s authorization, in order to participate in scientific events held in the rest of the world must not be over 5 per company/event.
It is also useful to recall that:
- Scientific events must not be held in vacation-related destinations, especially ski destinations, or during certain time periods: from June 20th until September 15th in the summertime and from Dec. 15th until Jan 15th in winter.
- Covering the costs of any escorting members is not allowed for any company.
Our law firm’s comment:
The repeal of EOF’s Circular no. 64740/1.9.2013 is in compliance with EFPIA’s και ΕUCOMED’s guidelines in addition to the Codes of Conduct of many national associations and members of the European health industry.
Even when setting aside the withstanding legal context as well as the rules set out individually by each association, it is essential for healthcare industry companies to adopt specially designed compliance programs, adjusted to the particular needs that each one may have towards the law, the industry, its culture and primarily, its own customers.
