The European Parliament has voted to adopt a pharmaceutical reform package that includes new legislation and regulations in the first major overhaul of the EU’s pharmaceutical rules in two decades. The Parliament said the package is intended to encourage innovation in the economic zone, though the compromise reform package has received criticism from both consumer and pharmaceutical groups.
The European Parliament voted 495 to 57 with 45 abstentions to adopt the revised pharmaceutical legislation and 488 to 67 with 34 abstentions to adopt a new regulation. The move comes roughly a year after the European Commission released its draft proposal for the pharmaceutical reforms.
With its position adopted, the new Parliament will meet to discuss the legislation again after the 6-9 June European elections and the European Council must approve the legislative package before negotiations on a final deal can take place…
