Allergy to acronyms

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The EFPIA view

Allergy to acronyms

15.07.14

We have a system for disease classification (ICD). I am not aware of any code for allergy to acronyms, but it seems certain combinations of letters cause an outcry, irrespective what they are about when you look beyond the letters. ACTA was such an acronym. The global anti-counterfeiting agreement would not have had any impact on EU or member state legislation, but the negotiated text was rejected by the European Parliament before the text was known or analysed. The mere perception that other countries would impose rules on Europe was a red flag to many people.

Now we have TTIP – the suggested Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – between the EU and US. People that follow the discussion closely know that this is not really about a traditional trade agreement but rather an attempt to bring the world’s leading knowledge economies closer together. This is good for EU and US citizens, as it creates jobs and reduces waste, such as in duplication of regulatory standards.

I fail to understand why TTIP, as it is being discussed, would change the European approach to personal privacy, or our views of food safety and animal welfare. Even if some people made such suggestions at the outset, European leaders have made it clear what is in scope and not. My industry also put forward suggestions that have been put to the side. We accept that, but we do want the key elements to progress. To make it clear what we ask for, from the side of the biopharmaceutical industry, and why TTIP is important, we have put together a brochure that can be accessed here.

Richard Bergström was appointed as Director General of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and...