| What is the European Pharmaceutical Law Group?
The European Pharmaceutical Group is a private law firm with an interest in public matters. Its primary aim is to contribute to the development and autonomy of European Pharmaceutical Law so as to promote greater knowledge of such law among European citizens.
Why was it created?
After holding office as chairman of the Spanish Pharmaceutical Law Association (ASEDEF), a group of lawyers and I realised the need for a European, and therefore international forum, to discuss the basic issues related to the future of medicine. We believed, and continue to believe, that these issues must be put to public opinion so that everybody may actively contribute to the furtherance of the principle of free will of citizens in this specific area of law.
What type of activities do you carry out in pursuance of the above objective?
We create Working Groups to address the current issues facing the pharmaceutical sector that are of great relevance to the lives and health of European citizens.
Through a “Team of Experts” from both Spain and other Member Countries, we also aim to promote the necessary legislative reforms to provide the pharmaceutical sector with a new legal framework more in keeping with present day circumstances.
We participate in all types of conferences and forums which allow us to voice our ideas on all legal issues related to this area, aiming at all times to approach these issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.
What is the profile of the professionals collaborating with Eupharlaw?
Our collaborators are European or non-European professionals with something significant to contribute which is directly or indirectly related to the different areas of the pharmaceutical industry.
The persons collaborating with us are professionals within the pharmaceutical sector with proven expertise and human qualities willing to contribute to the furtherance of the European Pharmaceutical Law Group's objectives. However, we are also interested in working with any individual who has recently joined the sector and has excelled in their line of work.
In short, Europe's first Pharmaceutical Law Group works in collaboration with an exceptional group of professionals who give the necessary support to our projects and constitute the driving force behind their successful completion. On an ongoing basis, other persons with the necessary skills and qualifications are also invited to participate in these projects so as to contribute to the development of European pharmaceutical law.
How do the opinions and work of Eupharlaw influence European pharmaceutical institutions and organizations?
In the early stages we must obviously be realistic about the influence we have, as this will become apparent in time. However, our ultimate goal is to become an important reference point in the European Pharmaceutical Sector .
Far-reaching changes need to take place in this area on both a Spanish and European level to cater for the needs of each citizen.
Any issue of significant relevance to medicine and the European citizen of the 21st Century should be addressed in an effective discussion forum.
However, we must also begin to accept that any legitimate claim made by a person engaged in the pharmaceutical industry chain may be voiced and discussed through the appropriate legal channels with others within the sector.
Is Eupharlaw therefore a lobby group?
Yes, but it does not have one single concern. We endeavour to defend our viewpoint and that of others on an independent and objective basis so that the pharmaceutical sector, which is so privileged but also at times rather antiquated, may develop and adapt to modern times.
How will Eupharlaw approach the new issues faced by the sector in the future?
Our aim is to address any future problems that arise by improving the therapeutic information that is available to us. In this way we will avoid, or at least delay, the impending judicialisation of the pharmaceutical world. Of course, to achieve this, we need to be able to count on the collaboration of all persons working within the sector in order to remove the legal loopholes that still exist.
Date of interview: 5th January 2002
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