english.prescrire.org > Topics > Advancing healthcare policy > Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) disguised as patient "information" [2007-2012] > What is at stake, and our counterproposals > How to improve European citizens' access to independent and comparative health information (3/2010)

Advancing healthcare policy

Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) disguised as patient "information" [2007-2012]

Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs [2007-2012]: What is at stake, and our counterproposals
How to improve European citizens' access to independent and comparative health information (March 2010)

Paris, 11 March 2010

11 concrete proposals to improve European citizens' access to independent and comparative health information.

European citizens deserve better than direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA), under the guise of "direct-toconsumer information" (DTCI).

Our 11 concrete proposals are presented as 6 key points:

  • Put an end to the confusion of roles
  • Promote independent health information on health determinants
  • Promote independent comparative information, tailored to each patient
  • Improve the transparency of drug regulatory agencies at national and European levels (Member states and European Medicines Agency)
  • Improve the readability, quality and availability of packaging elements to improve patient safety (enforcement of articles 59 and 86 of Directive 2001/83/EC consolidated) 
  • Encourage public health literacy, notably through direct-patient reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs)

Read the full text:

©Medicines in Europe Forum 11 March 2010