European patience
Any healthcare industry observer knows that today’s patients participate more actively in decisions affecting their health than ever before. This is facilitated by a less stigmatised approach to personal health, and by the internet as the ‘premier’ source of healthcare opinion and information.
Aside from some downsides (see previous posts) , most of us see knowledge-empowerment as a promising impact on health outcomes. However, it’s unfortunate that EU citizens are restricted to gaining information online peer to peer (via discussion forums) or from company sites in unrestricted markets, such as the US. This information rarely represents local indications or local market conditions. As a result the patient reviews information that is not always relevant to them, with products that are not always available in their market.
The European pharmaceutical industry has become an outsider to this information exchange. They are legally liable for the products they produce, but prevented from providing a regulated information source to the concerned consumer.
Isn’t it about time that Pharma be recognised as important contributors to health information alongside healthcare professionals, patient groups and regulatory bodies?
The recent European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) call on policy makers to improve access of citizens to medical information seems sensible and long overdue.
The EFPIA have proposed 4 main information categories to clarify the discussion. Firstly, pro-active information, which is provided unsolicited to the public, should be limited to general information on diseases, e.g. covering awareness, prevention etc. but not mentioning specific medicines. Secondly, reference information, covering diseases and medicines, which is sought by patients as in a library, e.g. through the internet. Thirdly, reactive information on medicines in response to enquires received from patients. And finally, support information supplied to support compliance with a prescribed medicine.
The European Commission is also in the process of reviewing the current practice with regard to information to patients on medicines and plans to announce its findings in October 2008.
The European Commission fully supports that better information available to patients can contribute to achieving better health conditions, a more efficient use of resources and better adherence to treatments. And has further concerns over inequalities of information provision across EU members, and the lack of quality standards. In addition to this it also recognises that Member States authorities may not be in a position to fully address patients’ needs in terms of the substance of information and the access via different means.
It would appear that the EFPIA and the European Commission are on the right track and we could expect to see at least a recommendation of harmonisation across member states.
In the mean time consumers of medicines in the EU remain exposed to inaccurate information and at potential risk to their health.
