Medicines: Patient groups divided on liberalising information

Following the European Commission consultation on Information to Patients, earlier this year patient groups have come out divided on the need and the solution to the reform of EU rules on patient information. The European Commission’s proposals would allow the pharmaceutical industry to potentially provide information on prescription drugs over the internet, television, the press, radio and brochures.


The consultation, and expected legislative proposal, is very contraversial and many - including EPHA - are concerned that the outcome will not address patients’ needs, but rather open European markets to pharmaceutical advertising using the moniker ’providing information to patients’.

The debate has intensified, with some such as the European Patients´ Forum (EPF) supporting the adoption of a mechanism allowing television and mass media information provision, whereas others such Eurordis and the Collectif Europe et Médicament, which consists of associations of patients (notably those suffering from AIDS, diabetes and mental illness), family organisations, consumer groups and health care professionals, have announced their rejection of the suggestion, along with the European consumer’s lobby BEUC and many others including EPHA.

The debate is certain to continue as Brussels waits for the concrete proposal to emerge from the European Commission (expected in the Autumn 2008). EPHA will continue to work with members to ensure the adoption of a policy that is in the interests of European citizens and public health in general.

For further information

- European Commission
- European Patients´ Forum (EPF)
- Pharmaceutical Forum
- Collectif Europe et Médicament
- BEUC
- Eurordis
- European Public Assessment Report (EPAR)
- European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA)
- *Updated* PGEU lunchtime Parliamentary debate on Adherence to medicines in Europe

EPHA related articles
- article 2625
- European Patients’ Rights Day 2008
-  The European Pharmaceutical Forum: discussing provision of information to patients on medicinal products

Last modified on June 1 2008.