EU now trailing US on irresponsible drug promotion

A new Consumers International survey of Big Pharma reveals Europe is in danger of falling significantly behind the US and other rich nations when it comes to irresponsible drug promotion.

The survey, conducted for Marketing Overdose, contacted the top twelve international pharmaceutical companies and asked them to clarify their polices on disclosure of information on funding of health professionals in Europe. Of the nine that replied, none have any commitments to reveal any such information in Europe, beyond what is required by legislation.

While recent announcements in the US have committed the drug industry to ban gifts to medical professionals and reveal financial support for medical education, there is no sign of such action in Europe.

On 14 July drug companies in the United States announced plans for the complete cessation of gifts to doctors, ahead of much tougher proposals being considered by the US authorities. This follows announcements by a number of drug companies that they will disclose information on funding of doctors' educational events in the US. Similiar requirements are also in place in Australia.

However recent guidelines put forward by drug companies in Europe fall short of any obligation for the industry to ban gifts to health professionals or disclose its funding of medical organisations, educational events and financial arrangements with doctors.