By Martin Banks - 3rd November 2009
Clearly, we will have to convince these countries of the benefits of this proposal
Francoise Grossetete
A senior French MEP has criticised France and other member states for blocking proposals to improve information about medicines to patients.
At present, information provided by public authorities varies considerably between member states and the commission says media such as the internet may not always provide reliable data.
The executive says this does not allow equal access to information to all Europeans and increases the risk of unreliable or even illegal sources of information.
Speaking at a news conference in parliament on Tuesday, French centre-right deputy Françoise Grossetête said this was why it was "vital" that member states support the commission's proposal on information to patients.
"The objective is to harmonise current practices and ensure all EU citizens have equal access to reliable and quality information on existing medicines," she said.
"It is very disappointing to see my own country, France, as well as other member states blocking this proposal.
"Clearly, we will have to convince these countries of the benefits of this proposal although, at present, this would appear to be a struggle."
Her comments were echoed by Arthur Higgins, president of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (Efpia),whose organisation represents Europe's pharmaceutical industry.
Higgins, also CEO of Bayer HealthCare, said, "We were also disappointed with the council discussions on the draft proposal.
"Sadly, the debate on this issue is still characterised by great mistrust on the intention of the industry. For this reason, we welcome the open-minded approach which many MEPs have taken.
"We urge parliament to adopt a forward-looking opinion on this dossier in the coming months, to prevent this proposal from being diluted or worse still, dropped."
The news conference comes ahead of a Parliament Magazine debate in parliament on Tuesday, entitled "Towards a healthier Europe," at which both Grossetête and Higgins are keynote speakers.
At the half-day debate, new Irish MEP Nessa Childers said much of the information currently available on the web was "inaccurate and unreliable", highlighting the need for an EU-wide database.
Mary Baker, president of the European Federation of Neurological Association, agreed.
She said, "A patient, on discovering they have a disease, is at the start of a journey and just like any journey they need reliable information."
ALDE MEP Holger Krahmer said, "Patients have a right to good information on medicines."
The conference, featuring key policymakers and industry representatives, focused on the future of healthcare in Europe.
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