Drug bulletins condemn EU direct-to-consumer 'advertising' proposals

A European Commission report suggesting that the pharmaceutical industry could potentially respond to patient requests for information has been condemned by the International Society of Drug Bulletins (ISDB).

'Industry is not a source of reliable and trustworthy information and it is a mistake to confuse advertising with information,' the society said. 'On the contrary, there is a need to limit industry influence on patients and prescribers alike.'

The European Commission proposals are carefully worded and open for consultation until June 30. They stress that while the pharmaceutical industry could potentially respond to patient requests for information, a regulatory framework would be needed to ensure its objectivity.

However patient information is also the focus of a working group in the Pharmaceutical Forum, which was set up by the European Commission in June 2005. One of the questions the working group is examining is that of direct-to-consumer communication by pharmaceutical companies, which is prohibited for prescription medicines in Europe.

This is what appears to have particularly upset the ISDB, which accuses the Commission of 'supporting the demand of the pharmaceutical industry to get direct influence on patients,' adding that a legislative proposal having this effect was expected in September.

The society noted that a previous attempt to introduce direct to consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs in the EU was voted down by parliamentarians with an overwhelming majority five years ago. 'The new move to introduce DTCA comes disguised as a means "to improve the quality of information available to the public.,' it said.

'The main actor behind this move is the Pharmaceutical Forum, a working group without any democratic legitimacy that consists of two EU commissioners, three EU parliamentarians, Member State ministers, no fewer than five pharmaceutical industry associations, representatives of health professionals and insurers. Patients are represented. by the industry-sponsored European Patients' Forum.'