Bitter Pills:Medicines & The Third World Poor | Page 188

One commentator writing in the US industry newsletter Pharmaceutical Executive
describes the IFPMA code as having been introduced to forestall' 'a coming WHO
effort to impose unacceptable controls over all pharmaceutical commerce in the
Third World". (100) He comments, "The code pledges industry to provide high
quality products, to base its claims on valid scientific evidence regarding indications
and conditions for use, to provide full scientific information with scrupulous regard
for truth in all matters (including contra-indications and toxicity), and to use
complete candour in dealing with government health officials, physicians, nurses,
other health providers and the public. To some, this may sound like a pledge in
favour of motherhood and against cancer. But the real political question is whether
the code will be adequate to defeat the forces against private enterprise within
WHO. " (IOI)
According to Catherine Stenzl, coordinator of the International Research Group
for Drug Legislation and Programs, drug industry lobbyists are in a good position
to block unwelcome moves towards controls on marketing within the United
Nations system. She quotes a private communication from a Member of the
European Parliament stating that "the pharmaceutical industry have a committee
of six operating in Geneva whose sole job is to infiltrate every international
institution to prevent mandatory legislation against the ... activities of
multinationals". (102)
Unlike the Health Action International lobby on behalf of poor consumers,
industry's views are directly represented in WHO proceedings. The IFPMA was
officially accredited with NGO-status within WHO in 1971. According to
Catherine Stenzl, this decision was "taken against the recommendations of the
competent commission". (103)

DRUG MANUFACTURERS
The fact that the IFPMA Code was drafted at all is indicative that the drug industry
is sensitive to its reputation. Manufacturers are acutely aware that reports of
unethical marketing practices in the Third World have attracted criticism
worldwide. They realise that sales performance in the more lucrative rich world
markets may be conditioned by how they are seen to discharge their social
responsibilities in the poor world. (104)
Manufacturers are increasingly conscious of the need to improve their Third World
"image". For example, in May 1981 Ciba-Geigy held a special 3-day seminar on
Third World policies attended by senior staff from their Basle headquarters and
worldwide subsidiaries, and several UN officials. On the first day of the seminar
participants were assigned the task of analysing "the problems and criticisms faced
by the pharmaceutical industry and Ciba-Geigy in the -Third World". (l05)
Executives taking part in Working Group One were asked to hold a brainstorming
session to identify "whatever criticisms, attacks, or reproaches against the
pharmaceutical industry and Ciba-Geigy" came to mind. Their next task was to
discuss" who is mainly voicing them'' and the "additional arguments these critics
are using", the purpose of the session being t o ' 'try F