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MICE Forum calls on the Parliamentary Committee for Social and Economic Reconstruction to review and rectify its Article 47.2 of Theme 8, Pharmaceutical policy, Bio-health industry and strategic reserve, which refers to the prohibition of funding of continuous training of health professionals by the pharmaceutical industry. In practice, the prohibition of such direct or indirect support from the industry will mean the possible disappearance of scientific congresses in the health sector which, to date, have been supported by the pharmaceutical and technology industry.

The voice of the meetings and events industry sector, made up of the associations OPC Spain, ICCA, MPI, SITE Spain, Spain DMCs, AEVEA and the associations of the Advisory Council, is deeply concerned about the possible outcome of the conclusions of the Working Group and Public Health on this point which, as indicated at this time, “would condemn the congress activity to its disappearance given the current conditions of the scientific societies and patient associations in the real post-pandemic Spain”, says Foro MICE.

The article literally states: “To take measures for public funding of continuous training of health professionals by public administrations, and for independent research, dissemination/health education and sponsorship of patient association activities. The financing of these activities, directly or indirectly, by the industry will be prohibited”, a wording that only “hinders the relations and good practices that have been maintained for years between the congress sector and the pharmaceutical and technological industry”, states Matilde Almandoz, president of Foro MICE.

“Is all that work going to be thrown away without even consulting the professionals and the industry of the meeting organisation sector when we consolidate year after year our good work and our international positioning with the legacy that this represents”, asks the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Reyes Maroto, in a question from Foro MICE.

Furthermore, the voice of the sector states that scientific-medical societies, the main promoters of meetings and congresses in the health sector, and the pharmaceutical and technological industry are governed by strict codes that are constantly being updated, applied by both FENIN and FARMAINDUSTRIA, with a view to guaranteeing transparency and ethical behaviour, as well as protecting the independence of health professionals. Both bodies strictly follow existing national and European regulations in this regard, which undoubtedly contributes to Spain’s position in the Top Five of the MICE industry worldwide.
In this sense, the MICE industry is very concerned about the situation. Professionals in the sector are grateful for the need to rectify this situation, in order to avoid the disappearance of medical congresses.