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N°1004 LA REVUE
Translated from Rev Prescrire July-August 2004; 24 (252): 481. Medicines in Europe: the most important changes in the new legislation
As we digest the results of the European elec- But we must not drop our guard: patients, tions and the last-minute agreement on the health professionals,consumers,health insurers European Constitution, the drafting process of and concerned politicians still have to ensure that the new legislative framework on medicines for the “competent authorities” fulfil their new human use reminds us once again that European obligations and make the pharmaceutical citizens’ voices can and must be heard. industry respect the legal framework that For more than two years the pharmaceutical European society has chosen for it. majors and their lobbyists took it for granted that “Europe” is not some distant land,but is at the they could obtain made-to-measure legislation heart of many of the most important decisions supporting their own narrow financial that shape our society.And Europe is neither
ÉDITORIAL Action bears fruit
interests, with scant regard for public health inaccessible nor incomprehensible:we just have or for the economic survival of national health to roll up our sleeves and make sure that care systems. special interest groups are not given a free hand. What they failed to realise was that Euro- Finally, Europe is not “too technical”: each new pean citizens from all quarters, including this dossier implies important choices for society. Journal, its subscribers, the “Association Mieux Europe was founded on the notions of free Prescrire” and the diverse member organisa- trade and free circulation,and was bolstered by tions of the Medicines in Europe Forum would the successful introduction of a single currency. come together to scrutinise the draft texts, In future,“Europe” will be increasingly synony- explain the stakes, sound the alarm, make mous with welfare and public services, chief counter-proposals, meet with European among which is health care.Many battles remain, deputies, and lobby ministers. given the inevitable clashes between major What we achieved together was a major financial interests and basic human health needs? change of perspective: in the end, European We offer our congratulations to all those who legislators endorsed the view that medicines contributed to correcting the course of Euro- are not just another consumer good.The drafts pean legislation on medicinal products. And underwent major improvements, not least we stand shoulder to shoulder with all those ensuring greater transparency on the part of defending accessible, high-quality health care. medicines agencies. ©Prescrire International
PRESCRIRE INTERNATIONAL AUGUST 2004/VOLUME 13 N° 72 • PAGE 158-1 Ouvertures e UROPE Translated from Rev Prescrire July-August 2004; 24 (252): 542-548. Medicines in Europe: citizens’ successes