Brussels, 22/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - If the European Commission's services continue to work on the organisation of a first meeting of the new pharmaceuticals forum during the first half of 2006 - the aim being to gather ministers concerned from all Member States, Commissioners Verheugen and Kyprianou, three representatives of the European Parliament, company directors, etc. with a view to endorsing a working programme that is as concrete as possible - the working groups should not lose time in meeting. According to a timetable that is still only provisional, the patients' information group will begin work on 27 January and would be the only one to have three meetings from the first half of 2006. The subject covered is that piloted by DG Sanco, and is also that which motivates participants the most. The group on the medicine's relative efficacy (or therapeutic added value) is important for patients and enjoys real infatuation from Member States considering the interventions made by their representatives at the meeting organised by the British Presidency on 1 December in London. The governments expect that new possibilities will come out of the meeting to reduce health insurance spending. The subject is naturally not without risk for the industry. The first meeting of the group is expected to take place on 24 February. The last subject is undoubtedly the most controversial - that of medicine prices. Although, in order to complete the internal market, a European price is needed, Member States wish to keep the possibility of price regulation and reimbursement in the context of direct negotiation with laboratories. Most of the sector is pleased with this fragmentation of the market which allows them to have 25 interlocutors, some of whom will naturally be weaker than others when it comes to negotiation. On this subject, the first meeting is due to take place on 10 February.