European Pharmaceutical Industry Medical Information: A Role to Play in the Provision of Medicine-Related Information to Patients.

Abstract

European pharmaceutical companies have a professional and legal obligation to provide objective, factual and non-promotional medicine-related information to both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients on request and have established Medical Information services to fulfil this need. Also, medicines are supplied with a package leaflet for patients and/or users-this usually includes the contact details for the company's Medical Information service. There is a large scale of patient enquiry interactions across the European region. A survey conducted in 2021 by the Medical Information Leaders in Europe (MILE) association revealed that 21% of all enquiries managed by Medical Information services in 2020 were from non-HCPs. Eighteen companies collectively managed over 140,000 non-HCP enquiries-while supporting so many patients, this is also a potentially rich source of insights to real-life patient experiences. When interacting with patients, companies are cautious not to interfere with the relationship between the patient and their HCP. This can limit the information provided, with many being referred to their busy treating physicians. Unfortunately, this approach can fall short of patients' expectations or needs. MILE recognises the potential to be more helpful and companies are keen to evolve to deliver more patient-centric support. MILE member companies have collaborated in the collation and publication of best-practice principles for handling unsolicited requests for medicine-related information from patients, caregivers and members of the general public (MOPs). This will help improve accessibility to quality information support, harmonise the patients' experience and build confidence in the pharmaceutical industry services. MILE continues to invite stakeholders, including patient associations, HCPs, pharmaceutical companies, regulators and national industry associations to engage and help advance these core principles for handling patient enquiries. This publication does not constitute legal advice; decision making and accountability remains with each pharmaceutical company.