The Medical Association ensures that doctors maintain integrity, ethics, competence, and dedication in the practice of their profession, whether they are general practitioners or not, or whether they hold a state or private degree. The Association also guarantees the quality of care provided to patients.
In medical research, this private institution ensures strict compliance with the Code of Ethics by clinicians and all other stakeholders. As part of its control and monitoring role, the Order verifies whether the work of the sponsor—the pharmaceutical company or research laboratory—truly contributes toimproving the quality ofcare and overall treatment for patients.
The French Medical Association also assesses the nature and content of agreements between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. The institution ensures that these agreements comply with the profession's ethical rules. In France, this preliminary inspection is part of the anti-gift law established by Order No. 2017-49 of January 19, 2017.
This text establishes a clear regulatory framework concerning the benefits offered by individuals and establishments that manufacture or market health products or services. This regulation was put in place to avoid any conflict of interest between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare professionals.
During its assessment, the Medical Association pays particular attention to the benefits offered to doctors, researchers, or medical students by manufacturers in the healthcare sector. Remuneration, expense allowances, and other gifts that could influence the moral and scientific integrity of research work are considered illegal.
However, the anti-gift law allows for a few exceptions relating to compensation and remuneration for research, research promotion, scientific consulting, or evaluation activities. Medical students who conduct research activities may therefore receive benefits as part of their degree program.