About: medicines Archives
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Commission must bring healthcare to the fore
Given that the current European Commission has not prioritised healthcare, it looks as though it is up to the European Parliament to push the agenda, writes Denis Horgan.
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Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing
Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.
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OECD criticises ‘ineffective spending’ in healthcare
Health spending in countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is "at best ineffective and at worst wasteful", a new report has found.
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Novartis under scrutiny for alleged pharma scandal in Greece
The Greek government launched an official investigation into pharmaceutical giant Novartis, following the publication of allegations of corruption and bribery in national news media.
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Health minister: Drugs pricing will top Malta’s EU presidency
The Maltese EU presidency will seek more transparency in the way pharmaceutical companies negotiate with member states on medicines’ pricing, Health Minister Chris Fearne said in an interview with EURACTIV.
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Italy’s pharma scandal heats up drugs pricing debate
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has urged the European Commission to investigate pharma-industry “unethical” practices on drug pricing, after a scandal revealed last week in Italy.
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Parliament wants harmonised criteria for drug pricing and reimbursement
The European Parliament will seek an increased EU role in regulating the pharmaceutical market and controlling rising drug prices, according to a draft report seen by EURACTIV.com.
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Bulgarian health minister: Drugs availability part of regional cooperation
Bulgaria and Romania will soon sign an intergovernmental agreement to jointly negotiate the pricing and availability of medicines with pharmaceutical companies, Bulgarian Health Minister Petar Moskov said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
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By playing doctor, the UN may kill the patient
The United Nations High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines does not address the actual problems of developing countries, such as inadequate infrastructure and shortage of medical staff, writes Dr. Barbara Kolm.
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EU drugs agency to unveil results on ‘early medicines’ project this week
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will this week publish the much-awaited results of a pilot project on the early marketing authorisation of drugs, EURACTIV has learnt.
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EU health ministers confront crisis in affordability of medicines
EU health ministers took reluctant steps last Friday (17 June) to address the rising price of medicines.
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Rising medicine costs burden global health systems
France is leading calls for the G7 to act against the inflation of medicine prices. Treatment costs are rising in rich countries, but can be even higher in the developing world. EURACTIV France reports.
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Big pharma complains about French law pushing cheap eye drug
Europe's pharmaceuticals industry said on Tuesday (1 September) it had filed a complaint with the European Commission against a French law promoting the use of Roche's cancer drug Avastin as an alternative to more expensive eye treatments.
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Paracetamol may increase risk of cardiovascular disease
Paracetamol tablets are the world’s most commonly used painkillers. According to a recent study published in the British journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, prolonged use of the drug can have very harmful side effects. EURACTIV France reports.
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German study finds prevalence of prescriptions without benefit
Doctors in Germany often prescribe medications without any proof of additional benefit, a recent study indicates, revealing that the reasons behind this are unscientific. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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Study recommends systematic prescription of statins to the elderly
American researchers believe that 97% of people over the age of 66 should regularly take statins to reduce their risk of heart disease. But there is still no consensus within the medical community on the benefits of the drugs. EURACTIV France reports.
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French medicine agency clears new anticoagulants despite safety concerns
A new generation of anticoagulants have been blamed for the deaths of patients in France. Studies from two leading French health agencies conclude that they do not pose a serious risk, but doubts remain. EURACTIV France reports.
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Stop taxing the sick
The world’s sick and vulnerable should have access to affordable medicines in emerging and developing countries, which should lead an international liberalisation effort, argues Rod Hunter.
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EU body may provide ‘solution’ to antibiotics resistance threat, says UK medical chief
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, Professor Dame Sally Davies, has pointed to the danger of bacteria's growing resistance to antibiotics, saying an EU funded medical initiative may be the solution to the problem.
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OECD urges harmonisation of clinical trials to save lives
The OECD is urging its member governments to harmonise their clinical trial approval processes, citing a decline in the pharmaceutical sector in the EU, where the number of applications for clinical trials fell 25% between 2007 and 2011.
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Parliament votes for quicker access to generic drugs
Voting on a draft law Wednesday (6 February), the European Parliament said patients should have quicker access to cheaper generic medicines. The draft rules will require national authorities to meet new deadlines and transparency standards on pricing and reimbursement.
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Drugmakers suffer decline in trust, report says
The overall corporate reputation of pharmaceutical companies declined in 2012 compared to 2011, according to an independent study by patients' organisations.
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Parliament backs transparency on medicine pricing
More transparency on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines should be the rule for the future to improve patient's access to affordable treatments, MEPs said after backing draft legislation in the environment and public health committee.
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Antibiotics: Preserving a precious resource
Antibiotics are a precious resource but they are often wasted on treating cold and flu's, with the dangerous effect that bacteria can develop resistance to them, writes Dr. Fidelma Fitzpatrick. However, there are many things policymakers and healthcare professional can do to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics, she says.