Investigate Europe

📣 #NEW Investigate Europe analysis has found that in more than 40 cases the European Commission has so far let governments off the hook for infringement violations – the penalty process the institution uses if it suspects wrongdoing. In some instances, proceedings have dragged on more than a decade, even after the European Court of Justice determined wrongdoing. As of 1 July 2024, Investigate Europe identified 44 cases against 15 member states where in a first ruling the CJEU had determined that governments had breached EU law. Of these, 33 relate to rules on climate, biodiversity and water quality. “The Commission should ensure that all adopted EU laws are fully enforced in all member states, but it is not doing so,” says Green MEP Daniel Freund, who believes the institution is “systematically failing to fulfil its role as guardian of the treaty”. Read our latest report via the link in the bio!☝

#NEW The extent of the relationships between patient charities and the pharmaceutical industry has remained largely unknown – until now. A new investigation by Investigate Europe can reveal that drug companies poured €110 million into groups in the EU, Norway, Switzerland and the UK in 2022. The likes of Pfizer, Novo Nordisk and AstraZeneca are funding everything from advocacy and campaigning to media projects and podcasts, reigniting concerns about industry influence over the sector. Critics argue that funding threatens “independence” of the sector. Patient groups and industry deny any such influence exists and many organisations say the funds are needed due to dwindling public sector support. Read the latest dispatch of #Deadlyprices here: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-drug-firms-pharmaceuticals-finance-europe-patient-groups-charities-110-million-euros

🎥 "You'll find companies holding their patent rights in Bermuda, Ireland, Switzerland." Paul Fehlner used to be head of intellectual property (IP) at Novartis, one of the world's largest pharma groups, based in Switzerland. As an IP expert, he knows how patents can be used by companies to lower their taxes and maximise their profits. Read the story here: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-pharma-firms-stash-profits-in-europes-tax-havens-as-patients-struggle-with-drug-prices

🎥 "They had all these patents covering all these variations, different dosages, even different sort of needle sizes on the pens that deliver the drug," says Tahir Amin, I-Mak's CEO. "All this built up to block-off competition because when you go to litigation, you pay millions of dollars to just remove one patent." The practice known as "evergreening", is criticised by I-Mak and others as a flaw in the patent system that allows corporations to prolong lucrative monopolies. #Deadlyprices Read the story here: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-pharma-firms-stash-profits-in-europes-tax-havens-as-patients-struggle-with-drug-prices

📣 Impact: Days after our #Deadlyprices investigation into the European Medicines Agency, the European Commission has taken the rare step of ordering the re-examination of a drug which the regulator controversially rejected for authorisation: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-european-commission-rejects-cancer-drug-removal-over-impartiality-concerns

🎥 Irish children Caoimhe, 10, and Fiadh, 8, have cystic fibrosis. They were at the heart of a pricing row between Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Irish government that impacted 35 children. The company demanded more money from the government to make Kaftrio available for children from six to 11 years old with a rare genotype. #Deadlyprices Read our story on how across Europe people can't access this life-saving drug: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-cystic-fibrosis-vertex-drugs-priced-higher-poorer-countries

🎥 In Lithuania, Urtė’s daughter, three year-old Milda has cystic fibrosis. A medicine called Kaftrio could be life-saving for her condition. While it is available in many European countries, in Lithuania patients don’t have access to it yet. #Deadlyprices Read more here: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-cystic-fibrosis-vertex-drugs-priced-higher-poorer-countries

We published #Deadlyprices, our eight-month long investigation into how big pharma feeds inequality in Europe, with 21 media partners in 16 countries. This resulted in 44 articles published. Please continue to help us deliver impactful investigations. Thank you for helping s tell the stories that matter!🙏 Donate here: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/donate

🚨Access to medicines is a struggle for millions - and big pharma remains a secretive world. Here, we outline nine essential changes proposed by experts. Read the latest instalment from our #deadlyprices series: https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-from-transparency-to-public-research-how-to-make-medicines-a-right-not-just-business

🎥 A feeling of political neglect has driven rural Europe to vote for far-right parties. Geography of discontent, the second episode of a series of investigative documentaries launched by Investigate Europe and Portuguese media partner RTP, is out now! https://www.investigate-europe.eu/multimedia/video-geography-discontent-far-right

🚨 Revealed: Big pharma stash profits in Europe's tax havens 15 of the biggest firms have 1300 subsidiaries in low-tax territories. These helped them amass €580bn profits in past 5 years. Meanwhile, patients fight for access to medicines. https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-pharma-firms-stash-profits-in-europes-tax-havens-as-patients-struggle-with-drug-prices

🚨#new 🚨Big pharma is reluctant to develop new antibiotics due to high costs and low profits. Now, the EU is proposing billions in subsidies to tempt them into action. https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-antibiotic-defences-ukraine-war-reignites-concerns-global-bacteria-resistance