Can pharmaceutical companies give notepads, pens and pencils to conference organisers for them to put in conference bags?

Yes, pens/pencils and notepads are the only items that can be provided to health professionals and other relevant decision makers for them to keep and then only at bona fide meetings. Pens/pencils and notepads provided in conference bags at independently organised meetings must not include the name of the donor company, the name of any medicine or any information about medicines. The total cost to the donor company of all such items provided to an individual attending an event/meeting must not exceed £6, excluding VAT. The perceived value to the recipient must be similar.

More information can be found in Clause 10.6.