Seizing the initiative of our lifelong experiences in science diplomacy and our appointments as President of the European Group on Ethics (EGE) and UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS, SciCom organised a one-day, High-Level Consultation Event titled: ‘Addiction: Ethics, Integrity & The Policy-Maker’.
This engagement initiative, purposely limited to a select group of forty leading public health stakeholders, was held in Brussels at the South African Mission to the EU on Tuesday 10th June. It was preceded by a Networking Dinner from 7 pm on Monday 9th June (full programme below).
This was the third in a thematic series looking at issues of extreme importance to the global scientific community around ‘evidence-based policy versus policy-biased evidence’.
The first edition in 2012 examined ‘Harm Reduction Science’ and resulted in fifteen key findings and recommendations. It brought together twenty-seven eminent European, African and American-based thought-leaders from fifteen countries under the Co-Chairmanship of Professor Anne Glover, Chief Science Adviser to President Barroso and Professor Patrick Cunningham, then Irish Chief Science Adviser.
The second edition in 2013 examined ‘Addictions and Their Brain Reward Systems’ under the stewardship of The U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Office of Ban-ki Moon. It resulted in eight seminal essays detailing how the three strands of biological, physiological and social elements work together around nicotine, alcohol and drugs (series conclusions available here).
This agenda-driven dialogue held under ‘Chatham House Rules’. Representation was selective, balanced, global and expert driven. As a group, representing all aspects of science-policy interaction from conception and development to implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The emphasis was on identifying similarities and differences, best practices and pitfalls, hindsight and foresight, while reaching firm conclusions.
That said, was not intended as just another VIP workshop. It was designed to allow participants at the height of their profession - and sometimes finding each other on different sides of the fence - to take a step back, to debate with and to learn from each other on a level playing field.
In so doing, perhaps reacquainting oneself with, or better understanding, the role of personality and politics, coalition building and pressure groups, big business and even bad timing, around some of our most pressing public health issues, while sharing the latest knowledge on new developments.
We thank everyone who joined us for this unique, prestigious and rewarding occasion.
Professor Julian Kinderlerer (Chair),
M.D. Michel Kazatchkine (Chair),
Mr. Aidan Gilligan (Organiser)
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CONVENOR’S INTRODUCTION: Why This Science Matters?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to attribute our compulsion for addictive damaging activities, such as over-drinking, smoking or taking illicit drugs, wholly to our genetic make-up? Then we could blame our parents for everything! We know it is bad for us and see millions die around us, but we still do it. Why?
This central question is what drives this SciCom series of high-level engagements for improved understanding of what kills us the most. One in seven people alive today will die needlessly. One billion will die from smoking-related diseases, nearly half a billion will die from drinking, and some thirty-five million will die from drug-related use. More than 8.5 million people, the entire population of Sweden, will die in 2014 from substance addictions.
Surely understanding addiction is the greatest public health imperative of our time?
In 2012 we examined the emerging field of harm reduction science and in 2013 we leaned on breakthrough research to explore addictions from the perspective of their brain reward systems. Often, we brought polar opposites together around the table – perhaps for the first time. What became clear is that whereas all have heard about ‘bad science’ or ‘bad pharma’, what is less spoken about is the impact of the ‘bad policy-maker’.
At the heart of this year’s consultation event will be a focus on the ethical importance of giving more thoughtful consideration to the way in which information about science and technology and their products is used for societal benefit, evaluated for potential risks, and communicated beyond the scientific community to end users where it matters most.
Mr. Aidan Gilligan, CEO, SciCom – Making Sense of Science
PROGRAMME
Monday 9 June, 2014
19h00 - 20h00: Welcome Networking Reception
20h00 - 22h00: Welcome Dinner
Chairman’s Welcome Address “The Splits Emerging between Repressive and Health-focused Countries”
M.D. Michel Kazatchkine (French), United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and Former Executive Director, The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria.
Chairman’s Post-Dinner Address “The Ethics of Listening, Dithering or Waiting for Others to Act”
Professor Julian Kinderlerer (South African), President, European Group on Ethics in Science & New Technologies (EGE) Reporting to President Barroso; Professor of Intellectual Property Law, Cape Town University; Adviser to the South African Department of Science & Technology; Occasional Adviser to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) & The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIDO); Former Director of Institutes on Biotech Law, Ethics & Society at Delft & Sheffield Universities.
Tuesday 10 June, 2014
ADDICTIONS SCIENCE – CAUSE FOR ALARM OR ACTION?
09h00 – 09h10: Chairmen’s Welcome Address & Tour de Table
09h10 – 09h30: Tackling the World’s Addiction Problem: Global Insights
M.D. Delon Human (South African), President & CEO, Health Diplomats; Adviser to the UN Secretary-General; Secretary-General of the Africa Medical Association;
Former Secretary-General of the World Medical Association; Author: Wise Nicotine.
09h30 – 10h00: GROUP OBSERVATIONS & DISCUSSION: Moderator: M.D. Michel Kazatchkine - UN Special Envoy
10h00 – 10h15: What should we expect from the scientific community?
Discussion Lead: Dr. Mary Baker - Consultant to the World Health Organisation & Adviser to the European Commission; Member of the UK Health Services Research Unit;
Visiting Fellow LSE; President of the European Brain Council & The European Federation of Neurological Associations.
10h15 – 11h15: WORKING GROUP OBSERVATIONS & DISCUSSION
Scientific community examples: Successes and failures when science meets policy
11h15 – 11h30: Coffee Break
11h30 – 11h45: What are the factors taken into account by the policy-making community & why?
Discussion Lead: Professor Julian Kinderlerer - President, European Group on Ethics in Science & New Technologies (EGE) Reporting to President Barroso.
11h45 – 12h45: WORKING GROUP OBSERVATIONS & DISCUSSION
Policy-making community examples: Successes and failures when science meets policy
12h45 - 13h45: Networking Lunch & Group Photo
13h45 - 14h00: What needs to improve from the perspective of third-parties & interest groups?
Discussion Lead: Mr. Andy Stonard - CEO, Esprit du Bois, France; Former CEO of Rugby House Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services UK.
14h00 - 15h00: WORKING GROUP OBSERVATIONS & DISCUSSION
Third-party and interest group examples: Successes and failures when science meets policy
15h00 - 15h15: How should scientists, policy-makers and third-parties work together to manage risks & uncertainties at the same time as promoting innovation?
Discussion Lead: Professor Didier Jayle - Professor of Addictology, National Conservatory of Arts & Metiers, France; Past President of the Inter-Ministerial
Working Group in the Fights Against Addictions
15h15 - 16h15: WORKING GROUP OBSERVATIONS & DISCUSSION
Managing risk and uncertainties while promoting innovation: Successes and failures when science meets policy
16h15 - 16h30: EDUCATED GUESSES ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT
Tour de Table & Group Discussion
16h30 - 17h00: CONSULTATION GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
Led by Co-Chairmen Prof. Julian Kinderlerer & M.D. Michel Kazatchkine
Rapporteur: Mr. Aidan Gilligan, SciCom – Making Sense of Science
17h30 – 19h00: Post Event Networking Cocktail (Self Paid)
19h00 – 21h00: Post Event Networking Dinner (Self Paid)
PRESENTATIONS
Prof-Michel-Kazatchkine---Policy-Environment--Drug-Policies-Inconsistent-with-Public-Health-Goals
Dr-Delon-Human---Tackling-the-Worlds-Addiction-Problems---Global-Insights
WORKING GROUPS
Rapporteur: Aidan Gilligan
10h00 – 11h15: What should we expect from the scientific community?
Discussion Lead: Dr. Mary Baker, European Brain Council
Dr. Gert-Jan Meerkert, Senior Researcher, Behavioral Research Addictions Institute, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands - www.narcis.nl
Dr. Eva Woelberg, Scientific Officer, European Commission, Public Health Unit, Institute for Health & Consumer Protection, Joint Research Centre - https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/
Dr. Gerard Dubois, President, Committee on Addiction, French Academy of Medicine
Ms. Agnieska Katner, Public Affairs Manager, Pernod Ricard - www.pernod-ricard.com
M.D. Kevin Bridgman, Chief Medical Officer, NicoVentures - www.nicoventures.co.uk
Prof. Roy Robertson, Center for Population Health Science, University of Edinburgh - www.cphs.mvm.ed.ac.uk
Dr. Francis Crawley, Executive Director, The Good Clinical Practice Alliance Europe Science & Innovation Counsellor to the EU of the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment - www.exlpharma.com
11h30 – 12h45: What are the factors taken into account by the policy-making community & why?
Discussion Lead: Professor Julian Kinderlerer, Chairman, European Group on Ethics in Science & New Technologies
Dr. Jan-Marco Mueller, Assistant to Prof. Anne Glover, Chief Science Adviser to President Barroso, Former Assistant to the Director-General, Joint Research Centre - http://ec.europa.eu/
Mr. Daan du Toit, Deputy Director General, International Relations, South African Ministry of Science - www.dst.gov.za
Ann Cahill, President of the International Press Association, Europe Correspondent, Irish Examiner - www.irishexaminer.com
Dr. Theo Karapiperis, Head of Unit, Science & Technology Options Assessment (STOA), Directorate-General, European Parliament Research Services - www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa
Dr. David O’Reilly, Group Scientific Director, British American Tobacco - www.batscience.com
Prof. Ritva Tuulikki Halila, Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki & Member of the European Group on Ethics, (EGE) reporting to President Barroso - www.hjelt.helsinki.fi/english/
Dr. Bogosi Mogale, Health Attache, South African Mission to the EU - www.dst.gov.za
Mr.Isidoros Karatzas, Head of the Ethics Sector, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation - http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm
Dr. Peter Tindemans, Secretary-General Euroscience, Former Director, Research Council of The Netherlands and Academy of Sciences of The Netherlands - www.euroscience.org
13h45 - 15h00: What needs to improve from the perspective of third-parties & interest groups?
Discussion Lead: Mr. Andy Stonard, CEO, Esprit du Bois, France
Ms.Nathalie Moll, Secretary General, EuropaBio - www.europabio.org
M.D. Lars-Eric Rutqvist, Senior Vice President Scientific Affairs, Swedish Match - www.swedishmatch.com
Ms. Cecilia Iturralde, South African Mission to the EU - www.dst.gov.za
M.D. Delon Human, CEO Health Diplomats, Secretary-General of the African Medical Association - www.healthdiplomats.com
Mr. Paul Skehan, Director-General, Spirits Europe - www.spirits.eu
Prof. Jean-Claude Thebault, Director-General, European Bureau of Policy Advisers to the President of the European Commission (BEPA) - ec.europa.eu/bepa/
Mr. Simone Boselli, Vice Chair, Healthcare Committee, American Chamber of Commerce EU (AMCHAM) - www.amchameu.eu - www.hkstrategies.be
Ms. Paola Tardioli-Schiavo, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, Anti-Drugs Policy Unit, DG Justice, Fundamental Rights & Citizenship - ec.europa.eu/justice/mission/
Dr. Jan Krzysztof Frackowiak, Director, Polish Academy of Sciences’ Brussels Office; Former Under-secretary of State for Science & Information Society Technologies - www.polsca.be
15h00 - 16h15: How should scientists, policy-makers and third-parties work together to manage risks & uncertainties at the same time as promoting innovation?
Discussion Lead: Professor Didier Jayle, Professor of Addictology, National Conservatory of Arts & Metiers, France
Professor Jean Francois Etter, Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva - ghf.g2hp.net/partners/faculty-of-medicine-university-of-geneva/
Ms. Charline Pierre, Science Journalist, Belgian French-Speaking TV (RTBF) - www.rtbf.be
M.D. Michel Kazatchkine, UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon’s Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS to Central Europe and Central Asia, Member of the Global Commission on Drugs Policy - www.globalcommissionondrugs.org
Mr. Juan Guzik, Secretary of State, Argentinian Embassy to the European Union - www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/28370/VITTORIO_PRODI_home.htm
Dr. Vittorio Prodi, Former Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE) & Science & Technology Options Assessment Panel (STOA) - www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa
Dr. Simon Planzer, Faculty of Law St Gallen University Switzerland, Harvard Medical School & European Journal of Risk Regulation - www.unisg.ch/en/schools/law/ueber+l
Dr. Didier Schmitt, Scientific Adviser & Foresight Coordinator, Chief Scientific Adviser Team, Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA) - ec.europa.eu/bepa/
Dr. David Budtz Pedersen, Humanomics Research Centre, University of Copenhagen; Strategic Adviser, Danish Ministry of High Education & Science - www.ku.dk/english/
