ABSTRACT
Health professionals can receive gifts or favours from a patient, but must be confident that the giving of these gifts could not be interpreted as being in return for preferential treatment. Health professionals are also reminded, when deciding whether or not to accept a gift or favour, to consult local policy. Failure to do so could result in the health professional being in breach of their contract of employment. There are legal restrictions on the activities that pharmaceutical companies can undertake to promote medicines. Pharmaceutical companies can only offer gifts that are inexpensive and relevant to the practice of medicine or pharmacy. Companies holding or sponsoring scientific meetings may offer appropriate hospitality to health professionals. However, the hospitality offered must not be excessive and must be limited to what is required to support the main purpose of the meeting and can only be provided for professional attendees.
