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Press release
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ëEuropean Parliament vote on patient information:
Another step forward, but questions remain´

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 c   c EFPIA, the voice of the research -based pharmaceutical
industry in Europe, notes today·s vote in the European Parliament on the proposals for
legislation to improve patient access to health and medicines information.

Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA, commented: ´The European Parliament has
demonstrated a constructive approach to this proposal, which is to be commended. We
urge Member States to adopt a similarly pragmatic approach to address the existing
inequality of access to quality information. M odern society already has access to a great
deal of information via the internet; future discussions should examine ways to ensure that
high-quality information is accessible to all in their own language, to benefit Europe·s
patients and public health.µ

Mr. Ager added; ´This vote is clearly a step in the right direction, but many questions
remain. To achieve real progress for patients, it is vital that any new legislation provides a
viable legal framework. It should not require added and unnecessary burea ucracy;
instead it should build on existing best practice within the EU.µ

EFPIA continues to support the application of quality criteria that will distinguish information
from advertising and ensure patients can receive helpful, non -promotional informati on on
medicines. Robust control systems are important; these can be complemented by a
Europe-wide code of practice. This would outline quality assessment procedures, including
pre-approval of all communications by registered physicians or pharmacists, ex -post
monitoring systems (involving third parties) as well as effective enforcement procedures.

EFPIA and its member companies have already made clear that they do not wish to see
any ¶push· of information on specific prescription medicines via TV, radio or print mass-
media. However, those citizens seeking information on their disease or therapy should be
able to access it in both user -friendly formats and in their own language.

AAA
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Xolin Mackay, Tel: (+32) 2 626 25 71
www.efpia.euc
E-mail:   
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 c c c EFPIAcPosition paper and further information on the Information to Patients proposal
can be found herecand here.c
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Leopold Plaza Building T +32 2 626 25 55
European Federation of Pharmaceutical
Rue du Trône 108 Boîte 1 F +32 2 626 25 66
Industries and Associations
B-1050 Bruxelles www.efpia.eu
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