Patient organisations and pharmaceutical companies each bring vital strengths – lived experience, community insight, scientific expertise, and resources. When they collaborate with mutual respect and a shared understanding of each other’s strengths and limitations, they can drive meaningful improvements in healthcare for patients.
Although both groups are committed to better health outcomes, they operate differently and have distinct priorities. In Australia, all parties are governed by national laws such as the Therapeutic Goods Act. Pharmaceutical companies also follow the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct, which sets standards for how they communicate about prescription medicines and engage with the patient community.
These fact sheets are designed to support the patient community in building knowledge and confidence about the Code – what it is, why it matters, and how it applies to real-world interactions with the pharmaceutical industry. By better understanding the Code, patient organisations can also gain insight into the complex environment pharmaceutical companies must navigate.
These educational resources are part of an ongoing project and will continue to grow and evolve over time.
