RCN joins Which? campaign against EC drug proposals
Published: 10 September 2008
The health of patients is at risk if the European Commission adopts proposals in October to allow pharmaceutical industries to provide information on prescription drugs directly to patients.
The Royal College of Nursing has joined Which?, and nine other health organisations, to call on the European Commission to reconsider proposals to allow pharmaceutical industries to market profitable branded drugs to the detriment of others.
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
“The RCN, along with Which?, supports patients having access to the latest information about health, disease, treatments and medicines, but we are concerned pharmaceutical industries will simply provide details of the most profitable drugs, instead of drugs which would best meet their needs.
“The European Commission has failed to consider alternative options, including recognising the role of nurse prescribers, who can deliver high quality information to patients on medicinal products.
“The European Commission is potentially putting the health of patients in jeopardy, the RCN is calling for greater transparency if we are to protect the quality of information being provided to patients.”
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Notes for Editors
Which? is the lead organisation in calling on the European Commission to reconsider changes to current legislation on advertising directly to the public. Other organisations which have joined the campaign, include, The Royal College of Nursing, British Medical Association, Family Planning Association, Picker Institute, British Pharmacological Society, Mind, Royal College of Physicians and Diabetes UK.
For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.