The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7253 p816
14 June 2003

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Euro-MPs reject proposals to reform availability of medicines information (more)

EU rejects plans for company-to-patient information

Pilot schemes to test the provision of drug information to patients by pharmaceutical companies have been blocked by the European Union's Council of Ministers, the highest authority in Europe.

The controversial schemes were proposed as part of a review of European pharmaceutical legislation (PJ, 28 July 2001, p114). The proposal was strongly opposed by the European Parliament. Even the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry opposed the detail of the plan.

The original plan was to allow companies to provide information on treatments for AIDS, diabetes and asthma direct to patients for a five-year trial period.

The rejection of the proposal by the Council of Ministers on 2 June has been welcomed by the Consumers' Association and also by the ABPI.

The Consumers' Association said: "This decision sends a clear message to the pharmaceutical industry that promotion is not the same as good quality information."

The ABPI said: "We are pleased that the subject is on the European agenda, but this scheme was deeply flawed."