Title II: Organisation of the medical professions

Physicians must not divulge in medical circles a new diagnostic or treatment procedure that has not been sufficiently tested without accompanying their communication with the appropriate reservations. They must not make such a disclosure to the non-medical public.

Doctors may only take part in biomedical research on individuals under the conditions laid down by law; they must ensure that such research is regular and relevant and that its conclusions are objective. The attending physician who participates in biomedical research as an investigator must ensure that the study does not alter either the relationship of trust between him and the patient or the continuity of care.

The collection of blood and the removal of organs, tissues, cells or other products of the human body from living or deceased persons may only be carried out in the cases and under the conditions defined by law.

Doctors may only carry out medically assisted procreation in the cases and under the conditions laid down by law.

A doctor may only carry out a voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the cases and under the conditions laid down by law; he or she is always free to refuse to do so and must inform the person concerned of this under the conditions and within the time limits laid down by law.

Medicine should not be practised like a business.

I. – The doctor is free to communicate to the public, by any means, including on a website, information likely to contribute to the patient’s free choice of practitioner, relating in particular to his professional skills and practices, his career path and the conditions of his practice. This communication must comply with the provisions in force and the ethical obligations defined in this section. It is fair and honest, does…

Practitioners from other Member States of the European Union or the European Economic Area who have been granted partial access to the practice of the profession of doctor in France underarticle L. 4002-5 of the Public Health Code, when presenting their activity to the public, in particular on a website, are required to inform the public of the list of procedures they are authorised to perform. As part of their…

The doctor must be careful how his name, status or declarations are used. He must not tolerate the use of his name or professional activity for commercial purposes by the public or private organisations where he practises or to which he lends his assistance.

Doctors are prohibited from distributing for profit any remedies, devices or products presented as having a health benefit, unless they have been granted dispensation under the conditions laid down by law. They are prohibited from dispensing unauthorised medicines.