EFPIA has consistently supported transparency in the lobbying activities of the pharmaceutical industry, and continues to call for openness in this area.

The pharmaceutical industry works with healthcare systems and academic institutions across Europe to deliver innovative medicines to patients. It is essential that EFPIA and its member companies engage with EU institutions to support the creation of a productive and competitive research environment and that medicines are used optimally in healthcare systems across Europe.

EFPIA underscores that it has been signed up to the Transparency Registry since its inception in 2009, and has provided the required information to reassure EU citizens about transparency in its activities. We updated the Registry on 27 April, in accordance with the new European Commission Guidelines that were issued earlier this year.

Although enrolment in the Registry is voluntary, EFPIA, in its capacity as a membership organization has nevertheless advised its members to sign up to it - as recommended by the Commission - should they undertake any of the activities that fall within its scope. 

EFPIA acknowledges that its financial reporting is set to increase significantly in line with the provisions of the guidelines. It understands that the range of activities that now fall within the scope of the registry has increased, as have the calculations for full time equivalents (FTEs), these being a standard accounting unit used to measure the number of people working in areas covered by the Register. EFPIA is also declaring the proportion of its membership's annual contribution that falls under the scope of the registry.

Finally, as recommended by the Commission, EFPIA has issued guidance to its members advocating participation in the voluntary register. We also believe that it would be prudent for other industry associations/organisations that aren't members of EFPIA to sign up to the Transparency Registry.