European politician attacks “alarmist” pharma industry
pharmafile | January 14, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing | h1n1, swine flu
A European politician has criticised the pharmaceutical industry for creating public health scares and profiting from them.
Dr Wolfgang Wodarg is chairman of the Council of Europe’s subcommittee on health, served as a German MP from 1994-2009 and a medical doctor.
He said: “We have twice had major alarms. The first was bird flu, and now this. It looks like a big marketing campaign for extra profits and costs health authorities a lot of money.
“To promote their patented drugs and vaccines against flu, pharmaceutical companies have influenced scientists and official agencies, responsible for public health standards, to alarm governments.”
His comments drew a strongly worded response from GlaxoSmithKline, whose Panderix is one of the three swine flu vaccines approved in Europe.
A spokeswoman told Pharmafocus: “Allegations of undue influence are misguided and unfounded. The WHO declared that H1N1 swine flu met the criteria for a pandemic. Responding to it has required unprecedented collaboration.
“As WHO have stated, legal regulations and numerous safeguards are in place to manage possible conflicts of interest.”
The pharma company continues to support governments in managing the H1N1 influenza pandemic, including discussing existing pandemic vaccine orders, she added.
This week, the German Ministry of Health cut its swine flu vaccines orders with GSK by 30% and the company currently in discussion with the UK government over their requirements.
The outbreak of the virus has failed to reach the high infection and mortality rates initially predicted by the WHO, and in the UK this week the Department of Health scrapped its weekly swine flu briefings due to the virus’ weakening impact.
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