Pro Publico to improve Pharma Legislation
Pro Publico connected the Anticancer Fund with legal powerhouse Crowell & Moring LLP which offered pro bono advice on suggested amendments to the draft text as proposed by the EC to the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation to promote equitable access to cancer treatments.
Addressing Legislative Gaps in Pharma Regulation
The EU’s “Pharma Package” is a critical reform aimed at improving the affordability, accessibility and innovation of medicines across Europe. Within this framework, Article 48 of the Regulation is a hotly debated provision with significant implications for cancer research and drug accessibility. For organizations like the Anticancer Fund, ensuring patient-centric amendments is vital.
The Anticancer Fund, an independent not-for-profit organization focused on cancer research and advocacy, dedicates its work to improving patient outcomes by ensuring access to effective and affordable treatments. To influence EU policy on this complex issue, the Anticancer Fund seeked legal analysis of the legislative text.
Legal Pro Bono support
The Anticancer Fund received support from the Brussels office of the global law firm Crowell & Moring, which brought their legal and strategic expertise to the table on a pro bono publico basis to help them craft a compelling case for legislative change.
It was in particular associate Wietse Vanpouke under the supervision of partner Kristof Roox who provided insight on the intricate legislative text. They offered a meticulous legal analysis of Article 48, breaking down its implications for patient access and innovation in cancer care; they also helped the Anticancer Fund draft precise amendment language to reflect their policy recommendations.
A Stronger Voice in the Legislative Debate
With the deliverables provided by Crowell & Moring, the Anticancer Fund was helped to articulate its policy recommendations more effectively as their legal analysis provided clarity and credibility to their amendment suggestions.
“The lawyers at Crowell & Moring were incredibly responsive and fully engaged,” said the Anticancer Fund. “In particular associate Wietse Vanpouke made us feel like a real client from day one, and in the end delivered exactly what we needed: his posture in providing assistance as well as its outcome were highly appreciated.”
Looking Ahead
During the past years, the Anticancer Fund has been involved in advocacy mainly to put non-commercial drug repurposing on the European dashboard – since this approach can lead to more affordable treatment options for cancer patients. They have been quite successful thus far, and they see the current revision of the EU pharmaceutical legislation as a unique opportunity to adapt the system in order to make it patient-centred instead of drug-centred.
They provided input to the public consultation but would like to see if more can be done specifically on Art. 48 of the Commission’s proposal for a revision of Regulation 726/2004/EC laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and Establishing a European Medicines Agency, and Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use.
More Support Needed
The Anticancer Fund has already liaised with members of the EU Commission and Parliament, but now the file is at Council level and they would appreciate further help to understand what else to do to bring their message to the attention of those sitting at the table discussing the Pharma Package.
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Thanks to @Lydie Mehus @Patricia Vandamme @Anticancer Fund @Wietse Vanpouke @Kristof Roox @Crowell&Moring @Francesco Zatelli @ProPublico
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