Transport

The Norwegian Health Personnel Act 

Medicinal Products Act of April 12, 1992 no 132 (Medicinal Products Act) 

The regulation regarding medicinal products of December 18, 2009 no. 1839 (Medicinal Products Regulation) 

Regulation on HCPs availabilty to receive gifts of 29 August 2005 no. 941

The Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (LMI) industry rules

Agreements between e.g the pharmaceutical industry (LMI) and the regional hospitals, Norwegian medical association

The Norwegian Medicines Agency

(supervising authorities with regards to the health personnel Act and the Regulation on HCPs availability to receive gifts of 29 August 2005 no. 941):

Norwegian Board of Health Supervision

www.helsetilsynet.no

County Governor – Statsforvalteren.no

Norwegian Pharmaceutical law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

No events should be located at destinations which are associated with sporting or leisure activities (unless the HCP recide in that area), or which have a reputation for being extravagant.

Events should take place in Norway, unless:

• the majority of invitees are from countries other than Norway and the destination seems reasonable given the place of residence of the participants; or
• the location of the organiser or expertise makes it more sensible to hold the event outside Norway; or  
• the location of the participants makes it more sensible to host the meeting outside Norway.

Norwegian Pharmaceutical law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

All destinations and locations used by a Member Company to host an event, must be appropriate and relevant in relation to the purpose of the event, based on professional and logistic criteria. Venues that appear as appear "extravagant" or "luxurious" or typical holiday resorts/destination is not appropriate.

Please also see the prohibtion on third-party events and HCPs in public hospitals under Transport.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

No specific rules except the general extravagant or luxurius test referred to under Event venue.

A five star hotel would typically not be appropriate. 

For hosted events, LMI member companies may cover travel and/ or overnight stays, if the professional programme is of a minimum duration of 5 hours per day excluding the day of travel.

Regulation on HCPs availability to receive gifts of 29 August 2005 no. 941:

Prohibition on receiving benefits that are likely to influence health personnel's official actions in an inappropriate way:

Healthcare personnel must not, either on their own behalf or on behalf of others, receive a gift, commission, service or other benefit that is suitable to influence the healthcare personnel's official actions in an inappropriate way, cf. the Healthcare Personnel Act section 9 first paragraph.

Updates for 2022:

Hospitality Rate A = Lunch: NOK263.

Hospitality Rate B = Dinner: NOK999.

The rates are inclusive of drinks and VAT, exclusive possible "tips".

Hospitality rate A can be applied for promotional visits.

For events and work meetings abroad, the rates in the host country apply (determined by national industry association).

Events/work meetings must include at least 45 minutes of professional content in order for hospitality rate A to be applicable.

Events/work meetings must include at least 90 minutes of professional content in order for hospitality rate B to be applicable.

Events/work meetings that include at least 5 hours of professional content can use hospitality rates A and B in combination.

At events/work meetings that include at least 5 hours of professional content, and for which participants need to arrive the evening before due to the timing of the meeting, a meal may be served the evening before the meeting for up to 50% of hospitality rate B.

Maximum value for meals (2022):

Lunch:  NOK263.

Dinner: NOK999.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

No specific rules except the general extravagant or luxurius test referred to under Event venue.

A Michelin-starred restaurant would typically not be appropriate.

Serving wine and beer in moderate amounts with dinner after meetings is allowed.

Moderate amounts is normally understood as 1-2 glasses. It is not permitted to serve alcoholic aperitifs or spirits.

Alcohol must never be served in the workplace or in connection with digital events.

Norwegian Pharma Law

No specific rules.

LMI Industry rules

Only persons who are qualified and have the relevant professional interest in the meeting may be invited to participate.

Companions / family members are not allowed, unless significant medical reasons require so. The prohibition on companions / family members applies even if the companion were to cover all expenses themselves.

For virtual participation in events /work meetings at which the LMI Member Company’s representative is not physically present, cf. 15.1, hospitality rate A applies, regardless of whether the meeting includes over 90 minutes of professional content.

It is forbidden to finance the full participation fee for digital events arranged by a foreign/international third party.

Alcohol must never be served in connection with digital events.

Regulation on HCPs availabilty to receive gifts of 29 August 2005 no. 941:

The general prohibition on HCP receiving benefits that are likely to influence health personnel's official actions in an inappropriate way means that healthcare personnel must assess the legality of receiving the benefit if it is given or offered on their own behalf or on behalf of others, for example:

k) remuneration for or other benefit for the use of certain medicines or certain medical equipment, etc.

h) remuneration for participation in trials of medicines, medical equipment etc., including coverage of expenses incurred in connection with the assignment.

The Regulation for medical devices MDR and the Regulation for in vitro diagnostic medical equipment, IVDR​:

It is permitted to advertise medical equipment in Norway both aimed at healthcare personnel and the general public. No distinction is made between advertising aimed at healthcare personnel and the general public, in contrast to the way it is done for pharmaceuticals.

In general, advertising for medical equipment must be objective, truthful and provide sober and factual information about the equipment. Advertising must always comply with the manufacturer's instructions for use, which inform about purpose, correct use and precautions.

LMI industry rules:

12.1 Information and educational materials

Informational and educational materials can be distributed to healthcare personnel provided the material has little value, is of direct professional importance for medical treatment or pharmacy practice, and of direct benefit to the treatment of patients.

12.2 Medical devices

Medical devices can be distributed in the purpose of promoting education of healthcare personnel and better patient care, provided that it is of little value, is of direct professional importance for medical treatment or pharmacy practice, and directly useful for the treatment of the patients and is not part of the recipient's ordinary professional activities, such as consumables and other things that are necessary for the operation of the Health Personnel's activities.

12.3 Assistive devices for patients

Healthcare personnel can receive information and educational materials or device of small value to be passed on to the patient.

12.4 Company name and logo

Such material/device may be branded with company name and logo, but must not be labelled with product name, logo or distinguishing mark unless it is necessary for the correct use of the material/device and is part of the material/the function or purpose of the device.

For devices, this will typically apply to "dummies" (e.g. empty inhalers) which must also be applied "for demonstration" and "does not contain active ingredient".

12.5 No conditions

Material and devices cannot be offered or distributed with conditions of consideration of any kind from Health Personnel, e.g. execution of a meeting.