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July 15, 2005
Commissioner Verheugen replies to the Eudoxa think tank’s petition on information to patients
The Commissioner reassures his interest to prioritise information to patients
The pan-European petition initiated by Eudoxa has been replied by Commissioner Günter Verheugen. The Commissioner indicates his positive view on increasing consumer information on pharmaceuticals.
"The Commission gives a high priority to the improvement of the information that is available to patients on medicinal products... I have noted the opinions included in your petition and hope that you are reassured that the Commission also prioritises information to patients", writes Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Enterprise and Industry in a letter replying a petition sent to him by European think tanks urging him to reduce the union’s limitations on the direct communication between pharmaceutical corporations and consumers.
The petition, initiated by the Swedish Eudoxa, also supported the Commissioner’s plans to create a public European database regarding information on medicines where also companies can participate with information to the consumers. The Europharm database is scheduled to start in 2006 in conjunction with the European E-Health Area.
Waldemar Ingdahl, director of Eudoxa comments "that the Commissioner gives weight to the issue of consumer information on pharmaceuticals is a step in the right direction".
Ingdahl adds that "today patients find information on their medicines from a variety of sources. To limit the opportunities for pharmaceutical corporations to communicate with the public, as presently done, just means that the consumers are deprived a source of information. Change is needed".
Download the petition as a pdf-file here>>>
The Eudoxa think tank is based in Stockholm. Eudoxa is devoted to public policy regarding technology, medical development, pharmaceuticals and their effects on society. Eudoxa has published books and reports in Swedish, Danish and English.
For further information, please contact
Director Waldemar Ingdahl . Telephone +46 8 83 87 73, e-mail info@eudoxa.se
Posted by Waldemar at July 15, 2005 10:08 AM