Commission discusses ways to improve information to patients

The European Commission's Health & Consumer Protection and Enterprise & Industry Directorates General recently launched a public consultation process to discuss ways to provide a practical and sustainable improvement of the information available to patients on health and treatment-related issues. The consultation focusses on a draft model package of information on a disease (using diabetes as an example) and quality of information principles. On the diabetes model the final aim is to have a methodology, principles and possible examples to provide a tool for stakeholders and Member States to take work forward at the national or regional level. Responses can be sent in up until Friday, 4 May 2007.

Following this consultation, the Commission will present the results of the exercise to the Pharmaceutical Forum's working group on information to patients, which will then prepare conclusions and proposals for the next high level Pharmaceutical Forum due to meet at the end of June 2007.

The Pharmaceutical Forum is a high-level political platform for discussion supported by a Steering Committee and three expert Working Groups. Its aim is to enhance the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry in terms of its contribution to social and public health objectives. The Forum brings together Ministers from all European Union Member States and from EFTA, representatives of the European Parliament, patients, the pharmaceutical industry, health care professionals, and insurance funds.

More information on the consultation process and all related documents can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_overview/
other_policies/pharmaceutical/pharma_consultation_en.htm

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