Steven Gray Consultancy

ARTS

Subscribe to ARTS

Compliance Hub is delighted to announce the launch of the exciting new Agency Recognition and Training Scheme (ARTS). Developed in collaboration with healthcare communications agency Tonic Life Communications, ARTS has been specifically designed to demonstrate ongoing:

• Agency commitment to ongoing ABPI Code of Practice (Code) compliance and awareness
• Adherence to client contracts stipulating routine employee training (in reference to ABPI Code of Practice Clause 16.1)

"There is an ever-growing need for agencies working with the pharmaceutical industry to be on top of the Code. A failure to adhere to the Code risks breaches and consequently damage to the reputation of clients and agencies alike. In the very near future, demonstrable Code training will likely become an essential part of every agency/industry contract." Comments Dr Stephen Huang, Medical Director at Chiesi Limited.

Neil Flash, Managing Director at Tonic London adds: “When we were approached about ARTS, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate on the Scheme’s design.  Code training itself, and more importantly staying up-to-date with Code changes, should be an operational imperative for all communications agencies working with the pharmaceutical industry. Tonic’s membership of ARTS demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Code training and helps us fulfil the contractual obligations set out by our clients.”

As part of the yearly membership fee (detailed below), agencies enrolling onto ARTS will receive the following package of Code training, monthly updates, ongoing consultancy and resources from one of industry’s foremost Code and compliance experts:

• Two interactive in-house Code workshops *
• Certificate of attendance for all trained employees
• Monthly e-mail information service – the Code Awareness Service – summarising key learning points from case rulings relevant to the communications industry from the previous month (by topic and by case)
• Access to a searchable on-line case history database at www.pharmacasearchive.com  
• Inclusion on the published ARTS membership list
• The ARTS membership logo for use on company websites and new business proposals

·       One hour of free code consultancy from the Compliance Hub team per quarter (please see notes for conditions)

*            The Compliance Hub recommends each workshop is conducted at six-month intervals. 

To ensure high visibility for agencies wishing to commit to securing high standards of Code knowledge, Compliance Hub will mail key individuals within every pharmaceutical company in the UK on a quarterly basis with an updated list of members enrolled on ARTS. Individuals contacted in this manner will include purchasing/ procurement department leads, and marketing and medical directors. A list of ARTS members will also be published on the internet and sent to leading industry publications on a regular basis.

Dr Asad Khan, Medical Affairs and Compliance Manager at UCB Pharma Limited concludes: “ARTS is a valuable and pragmatic training service relating to the Code. It is well designed, easily digestible and provides practical and common sense guidance on what agencies need to know in order to remain on the right side of the regulations.”

To subscribe to ARTS, please visit our compliance shop.

To talk to us about ARTS, please contact Steven Gray or Dave Parsons:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 0844 745 2185.

ARTS Annual Fee

ARTS membership is available on a per company basis for an annual fee of £4,500. For agencies enrolling onto ARTS before 31st March 2010, Compliance Hub is offering a special price of £3,800.

ARTS (including the right to use the Scheme’s logo and be listed on the database of members) represents a particularly cost-effective training option with the individual elements having a face value of over £5,000. Agencies already subscribing to the Code Awareness Service will have their registration fee reduced accordingly.

In addition, ARTS members will receive a discount other services offered by Compliance Hub Limited.

Some Additional Information on ARTS

• Agencies will only be provided with certification once training has been undertaken.
• ARTS is not connected to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
• ARTS is backed by the Compliance Hub Limited money-back satisfaction guarantee.
• Use of the ARTS logo is only available to ARTS agency members.
• The free monthly consultancy time is not cumulative and expires at the end of each quarter (dictated by the date the agency enrols into ARTS).
• Agencies not wishing to become ARTS members can elect to subscribe to one or more individual Compliance Hub services but may not receive a discounted price.