Brussels, 08/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - An international symposium of experts on the profits and dangers of direct-to-consumer prescription drug promotion in Europe will take place in Brussels on 10 January, organised by HAI (Health Action International Europe) and EPHA (the European Public Health Alliance), which are opposed to a recent European Commission proposal to permit advertising of some prescription-only medicines (for example for HIV/AIDS, asthma and diabetes) directly to the public. While promoters of the proposal claim the aim is to meet the demands of patient advocacy groups, critics say it would lead to a US-style spiral of escalating costs and unnecessary drug use in Europe and say that the drug industry has been busily lobbying for the legislative changes (amendments of Article 88 of the Directive on the Community Code relating to Medicinal Products for Human Use).
In a press release, Charles Medawar, one of the symposium's speakers and an expert on the drug industry from Social Audit, UK, notes "The EC proposal reflects industry pressure and not the demands and wishes of independent patient groups". A leading authority on consumer drug promotion from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (Canada), Barbara Mintzes, adds "The US experience stands as a warning of what could happen in Europe". She notes that in the US, direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines has produced misleading information for consumers, rapid widespread use of new expensive products that are often no better than cheaper alternatives and double digit inflation in drug spending. She notes that New Zealand, the only other country allowing DTCA, has seen a similar pattern.
The symposium will take place from 9: 30 to 17: 00 hrs at International Trade Union House, 5 boulevard du Roi Albert II, B-1210 Brussels. (Information: HAI Europe, Tel: +32 20 683 36 84 or +31 6 146 52 369, Fax: +31 20 685 50 02, e-mail: hai@hai.antenna.nl).