Press release

EFPIA applauds Commission Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility

Brussels, 25 October 2011 - EFPIA is the voice of the research-based pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. EFPIA Director General Richard Bergstrm provides the following comments to today's Communication from the Commission: The research-based pharmaceutical industry knows a great deal about social responsibility and sustainable development. It takes 10-15 years to develop a new medicine - and at a considerable cost. Medicines are developed in co-operation with public bodies and multiple stakeholders. The development and use of medicines are tightly regulated by authorities, and a large part is paid by public or semi-public payers. The pharmaceutical industry knows that trust and reputation are at the core in these partnerships and relationships. My industry has a well-developed system for self-regulation, ranging from disclosure to business conduct. We have agreed requirements to disclose clinical research - from announcing initiated projects to sharing results - and to promote medicines responsibly. The collaboration with physicians is crucial and must be protected by excluding unnecessary non-scientific activities. Patient organisations play an important role, and for this reason companies must disclose any financial relationship to remove any doubt about conflict of interest. Detailed rules for the promotion of medicines and interactions with health care professionals, as well as patient organisations, are laid down in a code of conduct that is binding for EFPIA members. EFPIA's national associations operate different types of schemes for monitoring compliance and reviewing complaints. In many countries these systems are operated together with physicians and other stakeholders. EFPIA itself reviews medical congresses and advises members as to what is permissible. EFPIA is currently engaged in the Commission initiative on Access to Medicines with the view to agree common ethical standards across Europe and involving all stakeholders. The Commission Communication is both welcome and timely. In the middle of the financial crisis there is an urgent need for a growth agenda. Europe can only compete with the best brains working in companies that are socially responsible and that think long-term. Law-makers must support this through regulatory reform and a progressive trade agenda. The pharmaceutical industry is ready to accept the invitation from the Commission to present, before mid 2012, an "open and accountable commitment to promote, in close cooperation with public authorities and their other stakeholders, the uptake of responsible business conduct with clear targets for 2015 and 2020". ### Contact Richard Bergstrm, Tel: (+32) 2 626 25 55 E-mail: newsroom@efpia.org Useful links

www.efpia.eu

About EFPIA EFPIA represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 31 national associations and 38 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA provides the voice of 2,000 companies

European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations

Leopold Plaza Building Rue du Tr 108 Bo t e 1 ne B-1050 Bruxelles

T + 32 2 626 25 55 F + 32 2 626 25 66 w w w .ef pia.eu

committed to researching, developing and bringing new medicines to improve health and quality of life around the world. EFPIA member are committed to delivering innovative medicines to address unmet needs of patients and reducing the burden of chronic diseases for Europes ageing population. EFPIA believes in close cooperation with its stakeholders to help create sustainable healthcare systems and to develop prompt responses to health threats in Europe. The pharmaceutical sector directly employs some 640,000 people in Europe including 115,000 working in research and development. The industry also generates around three to four times more employment both upstream and downstream. Europes research-based pharmaceutical industry generates a substantial trade surplus, estimated at about 58,800 million in 2009, and has contributed significantly to reducing the European Unions trade deficit in hightech products. More than a quarter of the EUs high-tech exports are pharmaceutical products.

Fdration Europenne d Associations et d Industries Pharmaceutiques

Leopold Plaza Building Rue du Tr 108 Bo t e 1 ne B-1050 Bruxelles

T + 32 2 626 25 55 F + 32 2 626 25 66 w w w .ef pia.eu