The ABPI Position Paper on Pharmaceuticals and the Internet (October 2000)

Information and the internet

Patients and consumers are seeking more information about medicines and medical treatments. The Internet has the potential to benefit both patients and healthcare professionals and be a vital and positive resource for society. Legitimate and trustworthy sources of information on medicines exist on the Internet. It can:

• Inform and educate a global audience.
• Provide an easily accessible source of information on medicines and health care.

The ABPI therefore strongly encourages the appropriate use of the Internet.

• To provide accurate and scientifically reliable information on health care and medicines.
• To provide information in a responsible manner.

The ABPI considers that there should be open access to all information put on the Internet by pharmaceutical companies. International laws and regulations vary widely on information that pharmaceutical companies may provide on their products. There is an opportunity for constructive changes and a need for greater harmonisation.

Inaccurate or misleading information on medicines from unregulated and doubtful sources is of serious concern and patient safety is of paramount importance. Unscrupulous people will continue to misuse the Internet. The pharmaceutical industry should be allowed to educate and freely inform consumers to correct this imbalance.

Rather than trying to restrict patients' access to information, it is better to educate individuals to be sceptical. Ways of validating web pages may need to be developed.

Self-regulation is the most appropriate way to manage pharmaceutical company's product information on the Internet. The research based pharmaceutical industry has a long tradition and experience of self-regulation.

UK based pharmaceutical companies comply with the ABPI Code of Practice and pharmaceutical companies world-wide are bound by the 'IFPMA Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices'. These long established codes govern marketing and promotional activities. They set out principles and standards for information provided by companies about their products. Their requirements apply to information provided via the Internet.

The focus of control should be on the physical movement of goods and the need to educate consumers about potential dangers. The pharmaceutical industry will co-operate with governments, regulatory bodies and customs to prevent unlawful and harmful distribution of medical products.

The pharmaceutical industry is actively working against:

• Diversion of medicines from recognised trade routes
• Counterfeiting/substandard products
• Unlicensed products being offered for sale

Handling medicines outside regulated distribution channels is potentially dangerous. There are potential risks to public health if consumers have access to:

• Poor quality products
• Unlicensed medicines
• Counterfeit medicines

Patients' health may be put at risk by some on-line prescribing practices and industry supports measures to try to prevent such activities and to educate consumers about the dangers of procuring medicines in this way. The ABPI'S view is that it is irresponsible to have a prescription issued without a proper professional consultation taking place.

The ABPI is looking forward to working with regulatory authorities to ensure that the Internet will live up to its enormous potential to improve the quality of pharmaceutical information, leading to a more informed and empowered consumer. Collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry, national and international regulatory bodies, health professionals, wholesalers and patients is required.

This, in essence, forbids advertising to the general public for prescription-only products and allows such advertising for over-the-counter (OTC) products.

Council Directive 92/27/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the labelling of medicinal products for human use and on package leaflets

This sets out requirements for the labelling of products and for package leaflets.

Council Directive 92/26/EEC of 31 March 1992 concerning the classification for the supply of medicinal products for human use

This harmonises (on a European level) the criteria which determine whether a product should be OTC or prescription-only.

Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts

This regulates horizontally distance selling for any kind of product. Article 14, states that Member States may maintain their national policies regarding distance selling of medicinal products. So for OTC products, member states may allow or ban it as they wish, and it is forbidden for prescription products.