The Maltese politician nominated to become the new European Union (EU) health commissioner says he will develop new policies to fight internet sales of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
In a policy statement to the European Parliament, John Dalli said he had "intense" commitment to opposing sales of fake goods. If confirmed in his job for the next five years (from 1 February), he said he would like to develop initiatives to combat counterfeit practices of pharmaceuticals sold over the internet in consultation with medicine manufacturers.
"I am well aware that this will be a daunting task and will require the engagement of a number of services and national authorities," he said.
The former finance minister said his overall health strategy would include making "affordable, safe and efficacious medicines available to patients across the EU."
Dalli added that EU pharmaceutical industrial policy needed to be integrated in public health strategies, but required "careful management".
"We must strive to reinvigorate this sector through innovation and enhancing its economic competitiveness," he said, stressing that this was not in contradiction to the principle of patient safety.
Dalli anticipates that "the upcoming evaluation report on the functioning of the European Medicines Agency" will hasten pharmaceutical market approvals.