Social Media Guide

Since the publication of the previous Healthcare Communications Association’s (HCA) social media guidance, there have been significant developments in how healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients, and the broader public engage with social media platforms. Furthermore, updated guidelines from professional bodies such as the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) now provide a more robust framework of principles for pharmaceutical companies and healthcare communication agencies to follow.

With a wider range of available guidance, rules and regulations, there can become confusion and ambiguity; or perhaps a tendency to always take the more conservative option, even if this is not the most effective way of reaching the intended audience. In developing updated guidance, we have not looked to ‘reinvent the wheel’ but have created this document as a concise reference to address key considerations in social media development in accordance with the PMCPA code.

The HCA Social Media Guidance outlines how agencies, in-house pharmaceutical teams, and independent compliance consultants have interpreted the code and applied it to some of the most common social media activities.

This document is intended to supplement, not replace, formal codes of practice; and aims to assist teams in developing compliant social media communications for HCPs, patients, and the general public.  And of course, we always strongly recommend seeking guidance from your own compliance leads or relevant advisors before engaging in any professional activities on social media, to ensure adherence to applicable regulations and organisational standards.

The HCA would like to thank Envision Pharma Group for their support in producing this valuable guidance.

Click the image below to access the guide in full