Transparency

In 2010, President Obama signed into law “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA). This healthcare reform legislation represents the most significant health policy passed by Congress in more than 50 years. As part of this legislation, greater transparency of the interactions between pharmaceutical companies, physicians and teaching hospitals will be required.

A part of the legislation, the “Federal Physician Payment Act” (“Sunshine Act”), requires that pharmaceutical companies track and publicly report gifts, payments and other transfers of value provided to physicians and teaching hospitals. There is also a provision requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to track and disclose free drug samples that are provided to physicians and teaching hospitals.

UCB is committed to complying with all transparency and disclosure laws, including the “Sunshine Act.” This type of tracking and reporting is not a new practice for UCB as we already comply with similar measures relating to specific state laws. Our strategy is to build on our current transparency program to develop a more robust program that fulfills federal and state regulations.

Advance planning and assessment of business procedures are currently underway to ensure UCB is well-positioned to comply with the new requirements and navigate the accompanying changes. As part of UCB’s agreement with the Office of Inspector General, the company must adhere to the requirements of the Sunshine Provisions at an accelerated rate. As such, payments to physicians and teaching hospitals will be available on the UCB site beginning on June 1, 2012, nine months in advance of Federal Regulations.

If you have any questions about transparency, please contact UCB’s Compliance Department at compliance.questions@ucb.com.