IRISH HEALTH TRADE ASSOCIATIONIRISH HEALTH TRADE ASSOCIATIONWorking together towards a healthier IrelandWorking together towards a healthier Ireland

Annual General MeetingAnnual General Meeting

28 April 201028 April 2010

Presentation by:Presentation by:

Alan Ruth, Chief Executive Officer Alan Ruth, Chief Executive Officer

RAISING RAISING THE THE IHTAIHTA PROFILE PROFILE

PUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHTPUNCHING ABOVE OUR WEIGHT

EVOLUTION OF KEY IHTA ACTIVITIESEVOLUTION OF KEY IHTA ACTIVITIES

Relationship Building Relationship Building >>>>>>>>

Influencing Influencing >>>>>>>>

Informing Informing >>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>> RaisingRaising the the IHTAIHTA profileprofile

Defending Defending >>>>>>>>

Challenging Challenging >>>>>>>>

Educating Educating >>>>>>>>

Pushing Pushing >>>>>>>>

ACTIVITY ON THE EUROPEAN FRONTACTIVITY ON THE EUROPEAN FRONT

Slide from presentation I gave at EHPM Council of Presidents’ MeetingSlide from presentation I gave at EHPM Council of Presidents’ Meeting

SOME STRATEGIC OPTIONSSOME STRATEGIC OPTIONS for managing communications with the mediafor managing communications with the media

Stick our heads in the sandStick our heads in the sand

Lie down and take regular beatingsLie down and take regular beatings

Challenge and/or fight backChallenge and/or fight back

Be reactiveBe reactive

Be pro-activeBe pro-active

Adopt a MANAGE mindsetAdopt a MANAGE mindset

Build mutually beneficial relationships (relationship marketing orientation)Build mutually beneficial relationships (relationship marketing orientation)

Coordinate media communications Europe wide or GloballyCoordinate media communications Europe wide or Globally

Slide from presentation I gave at EHPM Council of Presidents’ MeetingSlide from presentation I gave at EHPM Council of Presidents’ Meeting

Challenging incorrect statements in articlesChallenging incorrect statements in articlesThe Daily Mail exampleThe Daily Mail example

2 British professors responded to e-mails from me by distancing themselves from the Daily Mail 2 British professors responded to e-mails from me by distancing themselves from the Daily Mail newspaper. newspaper.

In an e-mail I received from Professor Lesley Regan she stated:In an e-mail I received from Professor Lesley Regan she stated:

““I did not write the I did not write the MailOnLineMailOnLine article. This was extracted from the programmes and publicity spread by  article. This was extracted from the programmes and publicity spread by the journalist and is an issue that I have been arguing about since I did not agree to putting my the journalist and is an issue that I have been arguing about since I did not agree to putting my name to their article in the first person. I was interviewed by the journalist about the series but name to their article in the first person. I was interviewed by the journalist about the series but the issue about Vitamin C was not raised in that interview.”the issue about Vitamin C was not raised in that interview.”

In e-mails I received from Professor Sue Fairweather-Tait and her PA, they stated:

““I don't know anything about this article or who to contact. Can you find out from Alan Ruth what to do I don't know anything about this article or who to contact. Can you find out from Alan Ruth what to do about it? I certainly didn't say what I'm reported as saying.”about it? I certainly didn't say what I'm reported as saying.”

““Having forwarded a copy of the article to Sue she can say with certainty that the stated safe levels for Having forwarded a copy of the article to Sue she can say with certainty that the stated safe levels for vitamins and minerals were not made by her – the article is written in a way which implies that this vitamins and minerals were not made by her – the article is written in a way which implies that this is the case when in fact Sue had no input into this aspect of the article at all.”is the case when in fact Sue had no input into this aspect of the article at all.”

European ‘Information Sharing’ NetworkEuropean ‘Information Sharing’ Network

some commentssome comments

““We have indeed found your correspondence very useful. Please include us amongst “information We have indeed found your correspondence very useful. Please include us amongst “information exchangers”. We have been following your e-mails and agree with them. In terms of European issues, exchangers”. We have been following your e-mails and agree with them. In terms of European issues, we are willing to help as much as we are able” – we are willing to help as much as we are able” – from Polandfrom Poland

“T“Thanks for answering me to our questions and for all your emails, these really help me. Mayhanks for answering me to our questions and for all your emails, these really help me. May I insert I insert your interview with your picture on our next newsletter of February. Thanks again for your helpful your interview with your picture on our next newsletter of February. Thanks again for your helpful emails.” – emails.” – from from ItalyItaly

““You are doing a great job. Catherine You are doing a great job. Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle should be starting a kind of allergic reaction to Geslain-Lanéelle should be starting a kind of allergic reaction to articles 13 and 14 evaluation criteria.” – articles 13 and 14 evaluation criteria.” – from Francefrom France

““Starting receiving your mails was really encouraging while doing our job. I would like to remain on the Starting receiving your mails was really encouraging while doing our job. I would like to remain on the mailing list. You sent once a presentation about communications (with the media). Would you be so kind mailing list. You sent once a presentation about communications (with the media). Would you be so kind and send me once again. I can not find it in my files.” – and send me once again. I can not find it in my files.” – from Sloveniafrom Slovenia

“I would like to thank all of you who have put great effort to our case by answering me. I have got “I would like to thank all of you who have put great effort to our case by answering me. I have got several new points to share with our members (and their lawyers) who have this ongoing case in hands.several new points to share with our members (and their lawyers) who have this ongoing case in hands. It’s very nice to find out that our information sharing works both ways, you can share info but you can It’s very nice to find out that our information sharing works both ways, you can share info but you can also ask for help and get very thorough answers from professionals.” - also ask for help and get very thorough answers from professionals.” - From Finland From Finland 

““I also wanted to tell you that the information you give is very interesting and useful to me. I wish you I also wanted to tell you that the information you give is very interesting and useful to me. I wish you could continue information sharing. I also wanted to thank you for your important work. I really could continue information sharing. I also wanted to thank you for your important work. I really appreciate it. Thank you again.” – appreciate it. Thank you again.” – From FranceFrom France

“I found the 'Information Sharing' E-mails very useful. I would be really grateful if I could be a member of “I found the 'Information Sharing' E-mails very useful. I would be really grateful if I could be a member of your network of 'information exchangers'. You are doing a great job. I found 'IHTA Newsflashes' very your network of 'information exchangers'. You are doing a great job. I found 'IHTA Newsflashes' very useful too. Thank you very much for all this information!” – useful too. Thank you very much for all this information!” – From ItalyFrom Italy

“I am sorry that amongst those reasons are the lack of response you seem to have had. I for one have “I am sorry that amongst those reasons are the lack of response you seem to have had. I for one have appreciated your information immensely, I may not always have responded to it, but at least I want you appreciated your information immensely, I may not always have responded to it, but at least I want you to know.” – to know.” – From NorwayFrom Norway

““I do very much appreciate your continuous effort on information sharing and believe its countless help I do very much appreciate your continuous effort on information sharing and believe its countless help for us. I would like to be kept in the loop if you don’t mind. With lots of thanks and kind regards.for us. I would like to be kept in the loop if you don’t mind. With lots of thanks and kind regards.”” – – From From TurkeyTurkey

“It would be a shame to end this information sharing, please continue and thanks a lot!” – “It would be a shame to end this information sharing, please continue and thanks a lot!” – From BelgiumFrom Belgium

“I would like to ask you to keep me also on your mailing list, because for our small association your “I would like to ask you to keep me also on your mailing list, because for our small association your “news” is very useful. Thank you very much in advance.” - “news” is very useful. Thank you very much in advance.” - From Czech RepublicFrom Czech Republic

PUSHING EHPMPUSHING EHPM

SOME THINGS I’VE PUSHED EHPM ONSOME THINGS I’VE PUSHED EHPM ON

A potential conflict of interest in relation to EHPM and EASA potential conflict of interest in relation to EHPM and EAS

‘‘Managing’ the media on a European (and perhaps global) basisManaging’ the media on a European (and perhaps global) basis

Becoming more goal and objective oriented in relation to ‘key issues’Becoming more goal and objective oriented in relation to ‘key issues’

Getting inactive national association EHPM members to take action on key issuesGetting inactive national association EHPM members to take action on key issues

Being more forceful in communications with Commission and EFSA officialsBeing more forceful in communications with Commission and EFSA officials

Ensuring that a Health Claims Impact Assessment is carried out by someone who will Ensuring that a Health Claims Impact Assessment is carried out by someone who will employ a sound methodologyemploy a sound methodology

Getting IASDA to alert member associations to both positive and negative research Getting IASDA to alert member associations to both positive and negative research news related to our industry, and to issue rebuttals, as and when appropriate.news related to our industry, and to issue rebuttals, as and when appropriate.

Getting eminent scientists to challenge EFSA’s approach to evaluating health claimsGetting eminent scientists to challenge EFSA’s approach to evaluating health claims

Encouraging the sharing of information between the national associations which Encouraging the sharing of information between the national associations which constitute EHPM.constitute EHPM.

Achieving EHPM’s Goals throughAchieving EHPM’s Goals through

Transorganisational DevelopmentTransorganisational Development

FROM EHPM “STRATEGIC ISSUES” TO EHPM FROM EHPM “STRATEGIC ISSUES” TO EHPM GOALSGOALS

The achievement of EHPM The achievement of EHPM GOALSGOALS should be facilitated and driven by individual should be facilitated and driven by individual national associations’ achievement of pertinent objectives, communicated clearly by national associations’ achievement of pertinent objectives, communicated clearly by EHPM to the national associations.EHPM to the national associations.

Goals provide direction. Goals provide direction. They describe a general purpose to which to direct key ‘value adding’ activities.

The achievement of particular national association objectives should support/facilitate the achievement of related EHPM goals.

The more national associations that achieve ‘EHPM goal facilitating’ objectives, the more likely that EHPM goals will be achieved.

ACTIVITY ON THE HOME FRONTACTIVITY ON THE HOME FRONT

LOBBYING IRISH MEPsLOBBYING IRISH MEPs

Ongoing lobbying of Irish MEPs has proved beneficial:Ongoing lobbying of Irish MEPs has proved beneficial:

It helped bring about major delays in the Commission’s plans to propose maximum levels for It helped bring about major delays in the Commission’s plans to propose maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.vitamins and minerals in food supplements.

It resulted in a hearing being granted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions for the It resulted in a hearing being granted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions for the IHTA’s petition titled: IHTA’s petition titled:

Request for additional consideration of the potential adverse impacts of the Food Supplements Directive Request for additional consideration of the potential adverse impacts of the Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC) prior to the setting of maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in foodstuffs, under (2002/46/EC) prior to the setting of maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in foodstuffs, under

the said Directive.the said Directive.

Nessa Childers and Mairead McGuinness (or a deputy) plan to attend today’s EHPM workshop on Nessa Childers and Mairead McGuinness (or a deputy) plan to attend today’s EHPM workshop on Health Claims in the European Parliament.Health Claims in the European Parliament.

Last month, Irish MEP Marian Harkin hosted the 3Last month, Irish MEP Marian Harkin hosted the 3rdrd European Homeopathy Day event at the European Homeopathy Day event at the European Parliament. She stated: European Parliament. She stated:

““Neither EU health policy in general nor the EU health programme makes sufficient Neither EU health policy in general nor the EU health programme makes sufficient

reference to complementary medicine and its important role in European healthcare.”reference to complementary medicine and its important role in European healthcare.”

Relationship building and ‘influencing’ the Relationship building and ‘influencing’ the IMBIMB

IHTA delegation met with Pat O’Mahony (Chief Exec) and Dr. Mike Morris (Chief Scientific Officer) to seek IHTA delegation met with Pat O’Mahony (Chief Exec) and Dr. Mike Morris (Chief Scientific Officer) to seek clarification on how the IMB will distinguish between botanical preparations that may be supplied as food clarification on how the IMB will distinguish between botanical preparations that may be supplied as food supplements (post 30 April 2011) and those that should be supplied as THMs.supplements (post 30 April 2011) and those that should be supplied as THMs.

Outcomes of the above: Outcomes of the above:

- The IHTA (Jonathan Griffith) invited to work with Mike Morris on the classification issue.- The IHTA (Jonathan Griffith) invited to work with Mike Morris on the classification issue.

- Mike and Jonathan presenting on progress at today’s AGM.- Mike and Jonathan presenting on progress at today’s AGM.

IHTA comments presented on the IMB’s National Rules Scheme for Homeopathic MedicinesIHTA comments presented on the IMB’s National Rules Scheme for Homeopathic Medicines

IHTA commented extensively on IMB’s StrategyIHTA commented extensively on IMB’s Strategy

- NHPs require a regulatory environment which is appropriate & proportionate- NHPs require a regulatory environment which is appropriate & proportionate - Request to engage with DoHC and competent authorities in other MSs to bring about a Directive for NHPs- Request to engage with DoHC and competent authorities in other MSs to bring about a Directive for NHPs - The IMB should fully recognise & embrace the Wellness Approach to protect and enhance public health and - The IMB should fully recognise & embrace the Wellness Approach to protect and enhance public health and

reduce the nations healthcare costs.reduce the nations healthcare costs. - The IMB should work with the NHPs sector (the IHTA) on a proactive & consultative basis to develop a - The IMB should work with the NHPs sector (the IHTA) on a proactive & consultative basis to develop a

health policy which includes the Wellness paradigm & embraces NHPs.health policy which includes the Wellness paradigm & embraces NHPs. - The IMB should work with the DoHC on the above.- The IMB should work with the DoHC on the above.

Relationship building and ‘influencing’ the Relationship building and ‘influencing’ the FSAIFSAI

Ongoing dialogue with the FSAI over the past 12 months has embraced:Ongoing dialogue with the FSAI over the past 12 months has embraced:

The substantiation of Article 13 Health ClaimsThe substantiation of Article 13 Health Claims

Regulation EC 764/2008 on Mutual RecognitionRegulation EC 764/2008 on Mutual Recognition

Codex Guidelines re Nutrition & Health Claims – Recommendations on the Scientific Substantiation of Health Codex Guidelines re Nutrition & Health Claims – Recommendations on the Scientific Substantiation of Health ClaimsClaims

IADSA’s comments on the above guidelinesIADSA’s comments on the above guidelines

The EHPM/ERNA Model for the Assessment of Article 13 claimsThe EHPM/ERNA Model for the Assessment of Article 13 claims

The Irish position on setting maximum levels and the DoHC’s briefing document on this.The Irish position on setting maximum levels and the DoHC’s briefing document on this.

The Prof. Albert Flynn (Chair, FSAI Scientific Committee) view on setting maximum levels.The Prof. Albert Flynn (Chair, FSAI Scientific Committee) view on setting maximum levels.

A transition period re supplements containing forms of vitamins & minerals that were to be prohibited from 21 A transition period re supplements containing forms of vitamins & minerals that were to be prohibited from 21 December.December.

A second invitation for me (or someone else I would recommend) to speak at an FSAI meeting (on Health Claims)A second invitation for me (or someone else I would recommend) to speak at an FSAI meeting (on Health Claims)

Other lobbying activitiesOther lobbying activities

At home, lobbying activities with Irish politicians have been directed at the newly named At home, lobbying activities with Irish politicians have been directed at the newly named Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

Last month, Batt O’Keeffe became the Head of this Department, as Minister for Enterprise, Last month, Batt O’Keeffe became the Head of this Department, as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Trade and Innovation.

Both Batt O’Keeffe and Conor Lenihan, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Both Batt O’Keeffe and Conor Lenihan, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, have been made aware of our sectors grave concerns regarding health Innovation, have been made aware of our sectors grave concerns regarding health claims and maximum levels.claims and maximum levels.

On the European front, in addition to lobbying Irish MEPs, lobbying has also focused on: On the European front, in addition to lobbying Irish MEPs, lobbying has also focused on:

The Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Commission (Rory Montgomery).The Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Commission (Rory Montgomery).

Former Irish politician, Maire Geoghegan - Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Former Irish politician, Maire Geoghegan - Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.Innovation and Science.

DEFENDING HOMEOPATHYDEFENDING HOMEOPATHY

I e-mailed all Members of the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee to make them aware of the I e-mailed all Members of the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee to make them aware of the current (and growing) evidence base for homeopathy.current (and growing) evidence base for homeopathy.

I e-mailed the main ‘experts’ who made statements that homeopathic remedies only had a placebo effect.I e-mailed the main ‘experts’ who made statements that homeopathic remedies only had a placebo effect.

It was obvious that Edzard Ernst did not want to engage with me.It was obvious that Edzard Ernst did not want to engage with me.

Ben Goldacre, however, exchanged about 7 e-mails with me.Ben Goldacre, however, exchanged about 7 e-mails with me.

In one e-mail to Goldacre, I said that he only looked at the negative results and ignored the positive.In one e-mail to Goldacre, I said that he only looked at the negative results and ignored the positive.

He replied: “I look at all the evidence, systematically reviewed, like I would on any topic.”He replied: “I look at all the evidence, systematically reviewed, like I would on any topic.”

I asked him to provide some evidence that he had systematically reviewed the evidence. He totally ignored this I asked him to provide some evidence that he had systematically reviewed the evidence. He totally ignored this request.request.

PLEASE NOTE: The printer made 2 errors. PLEASE NOTE: The printer made 2 errors.

The poster should read: The poster should read: IHTA members “YOUR ASSOCIATION/INDUSTRY IHTA members “YOUR ASSOCIATION/INDUSTRY

NEEDS NEEDS YOU”YOU”

DEFENDING THE INDUSTRY!DEFENDING THE INDUSTRY!

The IHTA (indeed The IHTA (indeed youryour industry) needs industry) needs YOU!YOU!

In 2008 IHTA income from members’ subs exceeded expenditure by only 831 euroIn 2008 IHTA income from members’ subs exceeded expenditure by only 831 euro

In 2009 IHTA expenditure exceeded income from members’ subs by 12, 118 euro In 2009 IHTA expenditure exceeded income from members’ subs by 12, 118 euro (even though expenditure was 7,644 euro (5.4%) lower than in 2008.(even though expenditure was 7,644 euro (5.4%) lower than in 2008.

The Surplus carried forward from prior years more than made up for the ‘negative The Surplus carried forward from prior years more than made up for the ‘negative surplus’ for 2009. However, the surplus being carried forward is reducing. surplus’ for 2009. However, the surplus being carried forward is reducing.

Without Without YOURYOUR continued membership and support, the IHTA would not exist. continued membership and support, the IHTA would not exist.

THANK THANK YOU.YOU.