Global Citizenship

Our Priorities > Supporting Patients and Consumers Responsible Sales and Marketing Practices

Information Sharing with Health Care Providers

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Abbott Code of Business Conduct

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PhRMA Guidelines

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Strict Oversight

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Abbott sales representatives play an important role in providing health care providers with information about disease-specific data, new treatment approaches, patient initiatives and clinical trial results – all of which can significantly impact patient health. We continually work to ensure that our employees meet the highest ethical and professional standards.

Abbott’s Code of Business Conduct, our basic guidelines and requirements for ethical behavior, is available in 36 languages. All Abbott employees, including sales representatives, are trained to abide by the high standards outlined in the Code.

As a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Abbott follows voluntary industry guidelines on sales and marketing practices, including direct-to-consumer advertising.

An important part of our commitment to supporting patients and consumers is an obligation to communicate responsibly with them and their health care professionals about diseases, our products and the alternatives that exist. We work to ensure that our employees and partners stay focused at all times on our commitment to supporting patients and consumers.

Abbott sales representatives are the most visible interface between our company and physicians and other health professionals. Our employees play an important role in providing doctors with information about disease-specific data, new treatment approaches, patient initiatives and clinical trial results – all of which can significantly impact patient health. We continually work to ensure that our employees meet the highest ethical and professional standards and that they recognize and avoid situations that may present conflicts of interest. It is our goal to build trust with our customers through our daily engagement activities.

We provide all commercial sales and marketing employees with clear direction and policies on how we will market, promote and sell our products around the world. In the United States, employees follow a set of Operating Procedures for Program Funding that incorporates both the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and AdvaMed codes of conduct – industry standards for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, respectively.

Outside the United States, our employees are trained to comply with local policies that are aligned with applicable laws or industry codes – including the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practice. We also require all marketing and sales personnel to complete additional training related to the marketing, promoting and selling of our products.

Additionally, we require our employees to abide by the high standards outlined in the Abbott Code of Business Conduct. Our Office of Ethics and Compliance conducts a prompt and thorough investigation into any allegations of inappropriate activity or behavior. We have a zero tolerance policy for behaviors that breach the code. Disciplinary action, which can include termination, is taken if violations are found.

Responsible Advertising to Consumers

We subscribe to voluntary industry guidelines on sales and marketing practices, including direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. DTC advertising can help raise consumer awareness about health and disease, as well as medicines and treatment options. As a member of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), we worked with others in our industry to develop voluntary principles to ensure that DTC advertising is done responsibly. These Guiding Principles on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements About Prescription Medicines, launched in 2006, go beyond FDA regulations, including educating physicians prior to any new DTC advertising campaign and promoting health and disease awareness as part of DTC advertising. Abbott complies with these principles.

PhRMA also created the Office of Accountability to receive public comments regarding DTC advertising. In 2009, the group released a report analyzing recent comments, primarily from patients and consumers. Most comments addressed the public health benefits of DTC advertising, such as promoting awareness. Many patients responded positively to educational elements. Negative comments tended to focus on details of individual ads.

In a related effort to receive feedback on pharmaceutical advertising, PhRMA assembled a panel of independent health professionals to view television and print ads when the guidelines went into effect. The panel’s recommendations are outlined in a report titled “DTC Advertising Trends and PhRMA’s ‘Guiding Principles.’”

Infant Nutrition

Abbott is a leading manufacturer of infant formulas. We agree with medical and health organizations throughout the world that breastfeeding is the best form of infant nutrition and should be the first choice for babies. When an alternative to breastfeeding is necessary or chosen, we offer high-quality infant formulas and nutrition products. We comply with all relevant laws, regulations and promotional standards around the world. This includes adhering to principles of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes where it has been implemented by governments. These principles cover appropriate labeling and promotion of breast milk substitutes. We conduct audits of our marketing and sales practices in each market where our infant formula is sold to ensure compliance with these provisions.

For more information about Abbott’s breastfeeding support and education programs in the United States:

Ensuring Optimal Infant Nutrition – A Shared Responsibility (PDF)

Ensuring Optimal Infant Nutrition – Achieving Balance for Health Outcomes (PDF)

Business Backs Breastfeeding – A Flexible Workplace Program for Breastfeeding Mothers (PDF)