Austria's Pharmig patient group rules

Austria's research-based pharmaceutical association, Pharmig, has amended its Code of Conduct to update rules on contacts between  drugmakers and patient groups. At the association's annual general  meeting, members voted 98% in favor of tighter regulation.

"The autonomy of patient organizations and therefore their  independence has to be considered as the principle for cooperation. I  am proud that our industry has committed itself with this overwhelming  approval of a very clear and transparent handling of patient  organizations," said Jan Oliver Huber, Pharmig's general secretary. One  of the changes requires public disclosure of donations to patient  groups, Mr Huber added.