In June 2017 for a second consecutive year the pharmaceutical industry in Europe disclosed the transfers of value for research and development activities as well  as transfers of value to healthcare specialists and  their professional organizations – supporting and organizing scientific and education events, registration fees, lecturer fees.

Terms and conditions of disclosure are set forth in the Code of Disclosure of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and the relevant National code of ARPharM. Bulgaria as a member of the European family is part of this process.

The members of the Association  of  Research - Based Pharmaceutical Companies in Bulgaria (ARPharM) also disclosed data on the provided transfers of value to healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations. More information about the process could be found on: www.transparencybg.org.

The Code aims to introduce greater transparency in the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals. This cooperation is based on the exchange of scientific information between the parties in accordance with the highest ethical standards. The pharmaceutical industry aims to ensure these standards by achieving a maximum degree of transparency, so the campaign is held under the motto  "Transparency Builds Trust."

"Collaboration between Healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry is essential for the development of medical science. Pharmaceuticals are high tech products and their development, application and mechanisms of action require explanation, exchange of experience and knowledge between industry and doctors. Only in this way the proper and effective treatment of patients is possible, only this way new therapies can be developed", the Director of ARPharM Deyan Denev said. In his words, thanks  to  this  collaboration   doctors  have he opportunity to continuously learn and develop, which is beneficial for both the patients and the entire health care system.

The 23 member – companies of ARPharM and some other research – based companies disclosed on June 30th their financial relationships with medical professionals and health organizations for 2016. Preliminary data  indicates that pharmaceutical companies last year invested in training, continuous education and collaboration with healthcare specialists and health organizations about 24 million Leva  – 16 million Leva of these are provided to medical professionals and 7 million Leva to health and professional medical organizations.

About 66% of the medical specialists have given their consent to disclose individually, which is higher compare to 2016 and shows the support of the medical community for this initiative.

ARPharM has announced that in 2016 the member-companies of the Association have invested in research activities in Bulgaria (clinical trials, medical research, non-interventional  studies) the same amount of circa 150 million Leva, as 40 million of them have been provided by the local structures of companies.

By 2018 investments in clinical trials in the country are expected to reach 190 million Leva. The latest data show that annually in Bulgaria about 190 new studies are launched and every month the clinical development program is entered by approximately 1,000 people. Investments in clinical trials have very positive impact on the budget for healthcare. The majority of these funds are spent on medications to patients for treatment which otherwise would have to be paid by the NHIF. Another part is  used  for  the  purchase of equipment for the centres for clinical trials, as well as for providing comprehensive medical care for the people included in the clinical trials.

ARPharM and its member-companies support the transparency in cooperation with healthcare specialists and healthcare organizations and expressed hope that the consent rates for individual disclosures will continue to increase.