Can companies participate in exhibition passport schemes or treasure hunts proposed by conference organisers?

The idea is usually that delegates are given a conference 'passport' upon which they can collect stamps from each exhibitor by visiting their stands. Passports with a full set of stamps are then placed in a raffle – typically a Kindle or iPad mini etc.

Pharmaceutical companies participating in passport competitions, treasure hunts or the like risk breaching the Code as delegates will be required to visit their stands, which will almost certainly be promoting medicines, to collect passport stickers. In the Authority's view such schemes are unacceptable under the Code. Clause 10.6 states 'Quizzes which are intended to gauge attendees’ understanding of the subject matter of a meeting, are acceptable provided that such quizzes are non-promotional and genuine tests of skill or knowledge; they must respect the professional standing or otherwise of the audience and no prizes can be offered. To be acceptable a quiz must form part of the meeting’s formal proceedings. Quizzes must not be conducted from or on exhibition stands. The use of competitions, quizzes and suchlike are unacceptable methods of promotion. The giving of prizes in association with quizzes and competitions is always unacceptable irrespective of the nature of the gift.'

That a passport scheme or treasure hunt is organised by a third party would be immaterial as pharmaceutical companies are responsible under the Code for any activity undertaken by themselves, or with their authority, which promotes the administration, consumption, prescription, purchase, recommendation, sale, supply or use of their medicines (Clause 1.17​ of the Code refers). By participating in such schemes, companies would be giving their authority for the schemes to be conducted on their behalf.