EFPIA warns EC pharma reforms could be delayed until mid 2009
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has warned that new pharma reforms could be held up beyond June next year, following the European Commission's delay in publishing its proposals in October 2008.
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has warned that new pharma reforms could be held up beyond June next year, following the European Commission's delay in publishing its proposals in October 2008.
EFPIA said there was a risk that "without rapid agreement from the Commission, it is possible the legislation's process concerning these proposals may be delayed until the new parliament is formed in (June) 2009".
EFPIA's comments come after the Commission delayed publishing its "pharmaceutical package", consisting of proposals on regulations on a number of aspects of the industry, including new rules on pharmacovigilance, pharma's ability to communicate with patients and efforts to tackle drug counterfeiting. Its publication has now been put back until 26 November.
"We hope that the Commission will do whatever is required to get the pharmaceutical package back on track," said Arthur Higgins, ceo of Bayer HealthCare and president of EFPIA. "This package of measures is an integral part of the process of ensuring and securing the supply of safe, non-counterfeit medicines and to improve health literacy among patients."
One theory is that the delay in publishing the proposals could be down to a row over a provision banning repackaging of medicines, a common practice among parallel traders. The branded drugs industry has been pushing for a ban on repackaging to help tackle drug counterfeiting.