PACE - Resolution 2071 (2015) - Public health and the interests of the pharmaceutical industry: how to guarantee the primacy of public health interests?
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During the 20th century, humankind saw the most spectacular medical advances in its history. Scientific progress helped us to identify the origin of countless illnesses and to develop treatments which have significantly improved the population’s state of health. The pharmaceutical industry has played an indisputable role here by investing massively in research and development for new medicines. It continues to do so and is therefore one of the key players in the health field and at the same time a very important sector of activity in many countries.
2. For a long time, questions have been raised about the possible negative effects of the interaction between the pharmaceutical industry and health sector stakeholders. This interaction may well give rise to conflicts of interest, have an influence on the knowledge and behaviour of the players involved and result in biased decisions. In its Resolution 1749 (2010) “Handling of the H1N1 pandemic: more transparency needed”, the Parliamentary Assembly had expressed its concern at the risk of conflicts of interest among experts involved in sensitive health-related decisions.
3. Despite the considerable progress made in preventing and dealing with conflicts of interest, this is still today largely a matter of hit-and-miss. By means of a self-regulation policy, the pharmaceutical industry is now adopting a much more ethical approach and legislation lays down rules in this area. However, self-regulation is not binding and the implementation of legislation leaves much to be desired.
4. Research and development for new therapeutic molecules is a costly and lengthy process. In return for this investment, pharmaceutical companies benefit from an intellectual property right on the molecules they develop, protected by a patent. This innovation model has led to the discovery of thousands of medicines. However, more and more voices are now being heard arguing that this is not the optimal approach in public health matters.
5. In recent years, in spite of the increase in the number of new medicines placed on the market, there have been very few that present a real therapeutic benefit, satisfying real health needs. In addition, we have seen an upsurge in the price of medicines, allegedly justified by the cost of research and development, which nonetheless remains opaque and broadly disputed. The exorbitant price of cancer and hepatitis C treatments is of particular concern. Public health systems are faced with constant cost increases in this area, jeopardising their ability to fulfil their role.