Policy makers increasingly invite Wemos to share ideas on ethical clinical trials in developing countries. This month, the organization will present its views to Members of the European Parliament. Annelies den Boer, Project Coordinator Medicines, explains the effectiveness of Wemos’ lobbying.

'Wemos’ Medicines project focuses on combating unethical clinical trials in developing countries by advocating for closer supervision at the European level. And our work is paying off! Ethics are finally becoming part and parcel of the European procedure for granting marketing authorization for new drugs. In 2009, the European Medicines Agency (EMA, formerly known as EMEA) announced that it would improve supervision of compliance with ethical guidelines in clinical trials conducted outside the European Union. In short, EMA will work harder to make sure that only 'fair' drugs enter the European Union. EMA has installed a working group which is now working on practical proposals and a workshop.

‘Last January, Wemos and the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) participated in the public consultation on the functioning of the European Clinical Trials Directive, organized by the European Commission. This was another opportunity to voice our ideas. We were happy to discover that the public consultation paper of the European Commission explicitly referred to publications of Wemos and SOMO on ethics in clinical trials in developing countries. It also included proposals reflecting recommendations that we made in the past years, including stricter ethical checks by the European registration authorities. So, we are effectively setting standards.

‘Furthermore, it is of paramount importance that Wemos has mobilized substantial support in the European Parliament. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to give a presentation to the Parliament’s Committee on Development, later this month, and to urge them to take responsibility. It is also a great chance to demonstrate the support we have raised in society for ‘fair’ drugs, since the start of our FairDrugs.org campaign. The supporters of the campaign lend enormous weight to Wemos’ lobbying work, as they will help motivate politicians, policymakers and companies to pay attention to ethics.’

5 February 2010