Pharma companies can provide non-promotional information to patients, EFPIA says

The European pharmaceutical industry can provide patients with information that is not promotional, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

In its contribution to the European Commission's public consultation on patient information, EFPIA says that 'it is simply wrong to assume that all information coming from companies is promotional by nature'.

Its members are aware of the importance of providing high-quality, non-promotional information to EU citizens in their own languages, the Federation states. 'For example, information on mode of action, managing side-effects and understanding why a treatment has been prescribed cannot automatically be considered as 'promotional' information,' it says.

Those who oppose relaxing the current system fear the arrival of direct-to-consumer advertising - especially TV advertising - for prescription medicines. This kind of advertising is forbidden in Europe but allowed in the US and New Zealand.

The International Society of Drug Bulletins (ISDB) said recently that the industry would not be a reliable and credible source of information, and warned against the possible confusion of advertising and information.

The EFPIA emphasises that it does not advocate direct-to-consumer advertising as an appropriate model for Europe. The federation focuses on the fact that the industry has already launched 'excellent educational activities..in some EU Member States', and cites the example of disease awareness campaigns that encourage patients to seek medical help for specific problems.

But opponents say that even if legislation banning all direct-to-consumer advertising is respected, such initiatives can still persuade people to take more medicines.

The EFPIA - which also highlights the key role of healthcare professionals in providing patients with information - criticises some countries for preventing other pharma company initiatives such as post-prescription information for patients.

'Reality is that the current legal restrictions in many member states prevent the industry from communicating even basic and legally authorised information about their medicines to the public, ironically while allowing anyone else to do so,' it complains.