SNIP signs new drug accord with French govt

The French pharmaceutical industry association, the SNIP, has signed anew framework agreement with the government's Economic Committee for Drugs, the CEM, covering relations between the two during the period to December 2002. The industry is understood to have accepted the principle of reducing promotional spending to 10% of company sales, and has agreed the fixing of annual targets for spending on major categories of drugs under current arrangements for reimbursement. However, the agreement as interpreted by the SNIP means that the government will have to consult the industry in detail on any plan to implement these principles.

Three main aspects of drug industry policy and government relations are covered in the agreement document. The first chapter sets up "a new relationship" between industry and government based on "mutual transparency," the tracking of drug spending trends and full consultation including the sharing of information. The second chapter entails what the SNIP calls a new pharmaceuticals policy.

SNIP concerns continue