ECJ DECISION HELPS TO ENSURE PATIENT ACCESS TO GENERIC MEDICINES The European Generic medicines Association has welcomed the Decision from the European Court of Justice, which has endorsed the European Commission’s findings that Astra Zeneca abused its dominant position in the market for proton pump inhibitors. The Court confirmed there was clear evidence of anti-competitive activity, through misuse of the patent and regulatory systems, in order to delay the entry of generic Omeprazol, the active ingredient in the company’s blockbuster drug, Losec. "This case is about the misuse of regulatory procedures which has the effect of blocking or delaying entry to the market of cheaper medicines, mainly by creating hurdles for generic products well beyond the period of protection granted by the legislator. Pharmaceutical companies are afforded legal protection for the innovative drugs they bring to the market. This is justified as it rewards innovation and generates revenues for further research in the sector. But companies should not misuse the patent system and the system for authorisation of medicines to extend the protection of their blockbuster products and delay the entry of generics into the market. Generic drugs benefit patients and governments that pay for medicines. I am determined to use competition rules whenever appropriate to fight such unfair and anticompetitive practices," Joaquín Almunia, Commission Vice President in charge of Competition Policy, July 2010.
IMS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF GENERIC MEDICINES INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE EU
The sustainability of the generic medicines sector is vital to ensure accessibility and affordability of modern day pharmaceuticals in global healthcare systems. This is the conclusion drawn in a report from IMS Health published on 22 March, and welcomed by the European Generic medicines Association (EGA).
In his opening address to the 8th EGA International Symposium on Biosimilar Medicines today in London, EGA Director General Greg Perry praised the EU for continuing to inspire the rest of the world regarding the development of scientific biosimilar guidelines. “If healthcare systems are to continue to function long-term”, he said, “we must address the importance of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies next. Science for monoclonal antibodies is already here today and our industry is expecting a workable guideline”. More..
The key moments and messages from the 3rd EGA Pharmacovigilance Discussion Forum, the 9th EGA Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Conference and the 6th EGA Legal Affairs Forum.
“Increasing generic medicines market penetration is the fastest way towards considerable and sustainable savings for healthcare systems in Europe”. This is the key message delivered by EGA President Didier Barret to delegates at the EGA’s Annual General Meeting in Rome on 3 and 4 June 2010. More... EGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE ROME 2010 in pictures
“Today’s vote on falsified medicines has ensured that patient safety will be strongly secured by focusing anti-counterfeiting measures on high priced-high risk products. The European Parliament’s ENVI committee’s decision has also ensured that all safety features designed to secure the legitimate supply chain will be cost-effective, whilst guaranteeing the independence of databases. Moreover the MEPs have correctly focused measures to tackle the sale of counterfeited medicines on the internet where the major problem lies” says Greg Perry, EGA director general, commenting on the ENVI vote. More...
“It is time for European policy makers to take actions to ensure a long term healthy generic business in Europe.” This call was issued in the opening statement of Greg Perry, EGA director general, at the 2nd Sustainability Conference organised by the EGA in Brussels today. More..
The sustainability of the generic medicines sector is vital to ensure accessibility and affordability of modern day pharmaceuticals in global healthcare systems. This is the conclusion drawn in a report from IMS Health published yesterday, and welcomed by the European Generic medicines Association (EGA). More...
"If the patent system is not reformed in Europe, drug manufacturers will encounter increasing hurdles to competition and real innovation." This was the message delivered by Greg Perry, director general of the EGA, in his opening address to delegates at the 6th EGA legal affairs forum on 11 March 2010, in Munich, Germany. More...
“New controls of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) must be workable, effective and ensure continuous supply of all medicines”. This was the key message of Greg Perry director general of the European Generic medicines Association (EGA) at the round table hosted by MEP Judith Merkies and MEP Marisa Matias on “Effective Controls against Falsification in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Excipients” in the European Parliament on 2 March. More...
“The EGA is the official representative body of the European generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical industry, which is at the forefront of providing high-quality
affordable medicines to millions of Europeans and stimulating competitiveness and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector.”
INAUGURATION AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN:
EGA CHAIR “EUROPEAN POLICY TOWARDS GENERIC MEDICINES”
