Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2451

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Health ACTION.
European Parliament soundly rejects move towards direct-to-consumer advertising. HAI Europe applauds Parliament's decision to protect public health, not industry's interests
2002 Aug 24;
http://www.haiweb.org/campaign/DTCA/pressreleaseEUrejectsDTCA.html

Abstract:

By an overwhelming majority, the European Parliament yesterday defeated a proposal which would have weakened the EU’s ban on advertising prescription-only medicines to the public. In a vote of 494 to 42 the Parliament adopted an amendment that removed the Commission’s proposal to allow the industry to advertise medicines for three disease groups: HIV/AIDS, asthma, and diabetes. “We are thrilled by the Parliament’s clear message that public health should come before drug company profits,” said Margaret Ewen, HAI Europe’s coordinator for this campaign. “The industry and DG Enterprise have repeatedly tried to disguise this advertising effort as a way to inform patients about their medicines. However, the Parliament clearly saw the proposal’s actual intent and defeated it.” The vote came during the Parliament’s consideration of legislation aimed at reforming European legislation on pharmaceutical products. The proposals will now go to the EU’s Council of Ministers before returning to the Parliament. (full text)

Keywords:
European Union DTCA direct-to-consumer advertising European Parliament HAI PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING REGULATIONS, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION