European Union lawmakers are acting like dictators by not permitting drug companies to advertise prescription drugs directly to consumers, as is done in this country, charged the head of drug giant Merck’s Belgian unit.
But those on the other side said they feared that drug companies could exploit direct advertising to increase sales, without a proper medical basis.
According to wire service reports, Egil Bodd, managing director of Belgium’s Merck Sharp & Dohme, said EU law stopped firms making information about drugs freely available.
Last week the European Parliament’s Environment Committee proposed amendments to a draft law on the information that could be given to patients.
Presumably, European direct-to-consumer drug advertising would use the same vehicles as direct response television and space ads as their American counterparts.
The changes need to be agreed by a vote in parliament and by EU health ministers to become law. The body is due to vote on the committee’s amendments on Oct. 22.
Network
