UK's EMIG set to join EUCOPE

The Ethical Medical Industry Group (EMIG) has received approval to join the European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (EUCOPE), an association that provides a pan-European platform for pharmaceutical associations which aim to promote the interests of innovative companies at a European level.

The board of EUCOPE is comprised of owners and CEOs of predominantly SME companies and associations within the pharmaceutical industry.

EMIG follows in the steps of the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association (BPI), which recently joined with its 260 member companies. Several companies from Greece, Bulgaria, France and the Netherlands have also joined the body or are considering membership.

EUCOPE has been influential on the EU level in establishing: procedural rights for companies in the new German HTA system; transparency and equal access in tendering procedures and public recognition of values created by pharmaceutical SMEs (pharma sector inquiry), amongst other things.

Commenting on the move, EMIG chair, Leslie Galloway said: "EMIG has excelled at lobbying on behalf of its members in the UK, and EUCOPE membership will now enable us to influence policy in Brussels without distraction from our core objectives.

"I will have a seat on the EUCOPE Board, which will enable EMIG to achieve a more informed understanding of likely future issues that will impact on our members' businesses, and influence those issues, particularly in their early stages."