Information for patients: distribute reliable information through medicines agencies rather than pretend to control industry advertising

Ambiguous proposals made by the Commission, aiming to favour disguised direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs in Europe, were rejected en bloc by the European Parliament. Parliamentarians realised the dangers of permitting such advertising, which would be as uncontrollable as current advertising to health care professionals. They voted a number of amendments aiming to favour public access to reliable information held by medicines agencies.

Totally ignoring parliamentary opinion, which has been publicly endorsed by several ministers, the Commission has simply reinstated its initial proposals. It opposes amendments intended to prevent the drift towards direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs and amendments designed to develop patient information independently of pharmaceutical companies.

The Commission thus opposes the recommendation that drug packaging and patient leaflets provide better, clearer information. For example, the adjunction of information in braille on drug boxes is considered "disproportionate" by the Commission; organisations for the visually disabled will certainly be pleased. Likewise, inclusion of the international non proprietary name on "recall" advertisements aimed at health professionals and the public is not considered crucial by the Commission. Those who recall the "secret remedies" of the early 20th century will find this somewhat puzzling.
The Forum demands that amendments 74 and 78 article 1 points 37 and 38a, and amendments 106, 107 and 191 article 1 points 55b and 57 be upheld.

©La revue Prescrire, for the Medicines in Europe Forum 7 April 2003