26th edition comes into force 1 December 2015
The NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines has its origins in the Veterinary Code established in June l974 by the Animal Health Register of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). In September 1978 that was replaced by the ABPI’s Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines.
NOAH was formed in 1986 and in 1987 became independent from the ABPI, and adopted its own Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines in October 1987. As technologies, strategies and expectations in the marketing world continue to evolve, so too have the Rules of the Code, which has been amended regularly. The can always be found on the NOAH website.
The Code also incorporates the provisions of the European Code of Practice for the Animal Health Industry, adopted by . The European Code, together with the Introduction to the NOAH Code are deemed part of the Provisions of the Code and its Rules of Procedure.
As with any industry, marketing animal health products is a key factor in spreading information about the benefits of their use, as well as promoting sales. All advertising is subject to the rules of the Advertising Standards Authority, but – as with human pharmaceuticals – promotion of animal medicines is regulated. There are special requirements in the law, in addition to which this industry Code of Practice is obligatory on all NOAH members and has also been endorsed by several non-member companies.