[e-drug] European Parliament soundly rejects DTCA

[Lisa Hayes <lisa@haiweb.org>]

E-drug: European Parliament soundly rejects DTCA
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Dear E-druggers,

Yesterday in Strasbourg the European Parliament overwhelmingly
rejected the Commission's proposal to relax the ban on advertising
prescription-only medicines to the public. HAI Europe believes that
the Parliament has clearly signalled the priority of public health over
industry interest with this vote.
 
Below and attached you will find HAI's press release on this
important event published today.
 
Lisa Hayes
Communications Director
HAI Europe
Tel: (+31-20) 683 3684
Fax: (+31-20) 685 5002
EMAIL: info@haiweb.org

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European Parliament soundly rejects move towards
direct-to-consumer advertising: HAI Europe applauds Parliament's
decision to protect public health, not industry's interests.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
24 October 2002, Amsterdam
 
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.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Margaret Ewen
HAI Europe's Co-Director (Projects)
Tel: (+31-20) 683 3684
Fax: (+31-20) 685 5002
Email: info@haiweb.org
 
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