Patient advocacy groups: another tool to boost compliance?

Andrew Tolve writes that patient groups are yet another means to provide the education and support needed to boost adherance. The full article is reported by Eye for Pharma on 9 Mar 2010.

Non-adherence is a serious financial concern. John Hosken of Eye for Pharma estimates that

"...drug companies are losing around 25 billlion euros each year simply through patients not taking their medicine."

With such high stakes, patient groups could be an asset to industry's toolbox.

(Source: Report from Patient Compliance Europe Conference, hosted by Eye for Pharma in 2006)


Katrina Perehudoff

Finnish study: Drug companies see added value of patient group sponsorship

Finnish researchers E. Hemminki, H.K. Toiviainen, and L. Vuorenkoski reported that drug companies see patient group sponsorship as a means to inform patients about their products and to move their medicines to a more favourable reimbursement class.

The full article, titled Co-operation between patient organisations and the drug industry in Finland, was published in Social Science & Medicine in February 2010.


Katrina Perehudoff

No NGO briefings will be allowed during World Health Assembly this year.

No NGO briefings will be allowed during World Health Assembly this year. This decision by the WHO is very concerning as this cuts off the main way for civil society to communicate with the delegates of the member countries and present their ideas. Big Pharma at the same time will still hold their luxury pampering events at 5 star hotels where they have the opportunity to communicate their message to the delegates.

Sophie Bloemen

HAI Response: ACTA Stakeholders Meeting in European Parliament

ACTA is increasingly controversial and public outcry is swelling. See HAI's contribution to EU stakeholders meeting March 22.

''ACTA is not about public health but will hurt it''