by Marco Ratti
Every year the drug agency receives substantial funds to finance independent studies, i.e. not related to Big Pharma. Those of 2010, however, no one knows where they are
(October 25, 2011)
The Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) is a body established by a state law, and which answers to the government. Every year this Aifa collects a lot of money from pharmaceutical companies which by law must be destined for independent research (medical and pharmaceutical). The last announcement (Look) in this regard, however, relates to the 2009 funds.
And the funds that arrived later, where did they go? And what is the amount of the figure for 2010, of which nothing is known? We turned these questions over to the Government Agency on Friday, October 7, over two weeks ago. But AIFA did not decide to respond, limiting itself to this declaration: "The news you find on our website is up to date".
So let's go read it. «The research is financed by the contribution equal to 5 percent of the promotional expenses, paid by the pharmaceutical companies as foreseen by the law establishing the Aifa (l. 326/2003)», writes the Agency. And again: «The fund thus established is intended for carrying out research on the use of drugs and in particular for comparative clinical trials between medicines, aimed at demonstrating their added therapeutic value, as well as for trials on orphan drugs and rare diseases».
In short, the program is one of those really useful. So much so that the Agency itself expects this mechanism to work like a clock. We read again from the site: «Every year a tender is prepared, addressed to the structures of the NHS, research institutes, universities and non-profit associations on the issues considered priorities». Words in the wind, it seems.
A top manager of a large Italian pharmaceutical company, who requested anonymity, confirmed that every year the companies in the sector pay 5 percent of the expenses incurred for the promotion of doctors and pharmacists. But it says &
