Πηγή: Independent
Pharmaceutical
companies spend tens of millions of euros on lobbyists every year to ensure
“privileged access” to decision-makers in Brussels, according to a major new
report that lifts the lid on their influence on EU drugs and healthcare policy.
The
industry now spends at least €40m annually – 15 times more than NGOs and
consumer groups, according to estimates – as representatives from “big pharma”
enjoy a “staggering” number of meetings with European Commission departments
and officials.
The
report published today by research and campaign group Corporate Europe
Observatory (CEO) reveals:
- The influential European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (Efpia) had over 50 meetings with the EU’s executive body during Jean-Claude Juncker’s first four and a half months as head of the Commission.
- The “corporate dominance” of Commission expert groups by industry representatives appearing in a “personal capacity”, using high-level access to influence EU policy.
- The increasing use of “Pharmish” – a form of “doublespeak” creeping from industry documents into EU rhetoric, which manipulates public understanding.
- How patients are effectively asked to fund drug “research” costs twice, as many costs are already covered by taxpayer-funded universities that often carry out research and development before pharma companies buy the rights.
Among
the EU laws targeted or shaped by the industry include rules around clinical
trials’ data transparency, trade secrets, and the negotiation of the EU-US
trade deal, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the
report said.