The European Commission has announced plans for simpler rules for drug testing on humans. A recent consultation had identified concerns over bureaucracy. The proposals could save €800m per year in regulatory costs and boost research and development in the European Union. The rules would see greater harmonisation across the EU as well as more rights for the Commission to oversee the trials. The UK’s big pharma representatives, the ABPI, and the small pharma representatives, the BIA, have both welcomed the move. The proposals can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/health/files/clinicaltrials/2012_07/proposal/2012_07_proposal_en.pdf.