15
American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia
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Recommendations for Greater Transparency of the Relationships between the Healthcare Industry and Healthcare Workers and Organizations

Recommendations for Greater Transparency of the Relationships between the Healthcare Industry and Healthcare Workers and Organizations

Collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals is vital for the development and use of new medicines, but public demand for transparency has grown due to concerns about undue influence on treatment decisions.

Globally, mechanisms such as the U.S. Sunshine Act and EFPIA’s Disclosure Code require publication of all value transfers to healthcare professionals and organizations.

In Croatia, the first disclosure (for 2015) reported HRK 105.3 million in value transfers: 40% for education, 37% to healthcare organizations, and 23% for R&D. However, only 11% of physicians consented to individual disclosure.

AmCham recommendations:

  • Move from voluntary to mandatory legal disclosure of individual value transfers.
  • Align Croatian laws (Medicines Act, Medical Devices Act, Healthcare Act) with best EU practices.
  • Extend the obligation to all producers, not only EFPIA members.
  • Strengthen patient trust and rights protection.

Transparency in healthcare should serve as a model for other public sectors in Croatia.