The European Generic Medicines Association welcomes Commission’s revised proposals on information to patients
The European Generic medicines Association (EGA) welcomes the revised proposals on information to patients published today by the European Commission.
The EGA sees this move as a constructive step forward as the proposals ensure a proper balance between improving access to information available from companies and preventing the exertion of undue commercial influence on patients, as advocated by MEPs in the proposition’s first reading. The proposals also emphasise the use of quality criteria for information to patients and the role of competent authorities in verifying and monitoring the information.
Greg Perry, EGA Director General commented: “However, it is essential that the Council and MEPs maintain the ban on misinformation campaigns towards the general public about generic and biosimilar medicines, as was clearly identified in the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry”.
The Directive and Regulation will undergo an assessment by the EGA with a view to giving an in-depth analysis to EU legislators.
The EGA is the official representative body of the European generic and biosimilar medicines industry, which is at the forefront of providing high-quality affordable medicines to millions of Europeans and stimulating competitiveness and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. Generic medicines are now front-line treatments across the spectrum of chronic diseases, bringing savings of some €30bn per annum to the EU and making up to more than 50% of dispensed medicines, whilst accounting for only 18% of expenditure on pharmaceuticals.
