New Changes to Make Canada a Destination of Choice for Medical Event Planners
OTTAWA – The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) say Canada is open for business as they jointly promote economic growth through international medical conferences, meetings and educational events.
As a result of months of hard work and cooperation, Rx&D has made important changes to its Code of Ethical Practices, which will provide international conference planners greater access to the Canadian market, while maintaining Canada’s high ethical requirements and legislative standards. Some of the changes include:
- The creation of a distinct section in the Code on conferences and congresses, providing for the first time a one-stop reference for medical conference planners;
- Better harmonization between the marketing guidelines established within the Code and those established by the federal government while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Research by the Canadian Tourism Commission suggests that the Canadian economy could receive a financial boost by as much as $100 million each year from international medical conferences if more were held in Canada.
Medical conferences serve as important forums for scientific exchanges by and education of physicians, medical scientists and other health care professionals through opportunities for learning, sharing expertise and staying informed about developments in clinical practice, health sciences and health innovations, including new medicines and medical technologies.
“The new changes to the Rx&D Code of Ethical Practices send a strong signal to the global community that more than ever before, Canada is ready to welcome world-class international medical conferences and educational events,” said David Goldstein, President and CEO of TIAC. “TIAC would like to thank Rx&D for their cooperation and leadership in helping Canada’s tourism industry secure more large-scale medical conventions, which stimulate significant economic activity in the host destination.”
Rx&D President Russell Williams welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with TIAC to remind the world that Canada is open for business especially as it relates to world-class medical conferences. Canada has made changes to make it easier to host events here while at the same time adhering to the highest possible ethical standards.
“Our members share a mission to make available the best innovative medicines and vaccines to Canadians in a timely and appropriate manner. Implicit to this mission, is a commitment to undertake and promote health research in Canada, as well as, to ensure healthcare providers in Canada and around the world are informed about the therapeutic value of innovative medicines and the appropriate use of Rx&D members’ products and services,” said Russell Williams.
He also explained that Rx&D members adhere to a strict Code of Ethical Practices that govern interaction with healthcare professionals, stakeholders and governments.
“We recognize the vital role of international medical conferences in serving the educational and scientific exchange interfacing needs of medical practitioners and the innovative pharmaceutical industry.”
The Canadian Tourism Commission and TIAC will develop collateral to support these changes and assist planners, and Rx&D and TIAC will work together on a webinar.
