France - 1, US - 0
“Under the new law, the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS), which came under fire for its role in keeping Mediator on the market, is being overhauled and renamed the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM). Potential new drugs now have to be compared with existing approved ones, instead of just with placebos, if they are to be reimbursed under the public health insurance system, and pharmaceutical companies applying for a drug’s approval must declare any links they have with outside organizations, physicians, and researchers or face criminal sanctions for failure to comply.” (source)
Contemplating an opportunity to go to Germany over spring break to learn about health economics, especially as it relates to their pharmaceutical industry. This is a definite research interest of mine, but I can’t really justify the cost right now (no travel funds and little notice would mean almost $2k out of pocket).
(Re: this little rant.)
