European health policy of the future: the best is yet to come!
A healthy population is crucial for a strong economy and social cohesion in Europe. The future of EU policy should be based on patient-centered healthcare systems, a smart industrial policy and an environment conducive to innovation.
The strengthening of the European economy and the cohesion of European society depend to a large extent on a healthy population. In fact, 70 percent of EU citizens want more to be done in the area of health. Ensuring that all citizens live healthier lives must therefore be a priority for European policy in the coming years and decades: patient-centered healthcare systems, smart sectoral industrial policy and an innovation-friendly environment are the guidelines for such an approach.
The health of EU citizens is the responsibility of all of us - patient groups, policy makers, health professionals, civil society and industry. Pooling our resources and expertise can ensure that what we do delivers tangible benefits for EU citizens and enhances the EU's global reputation for excellence in research and development and innovation.
Action areas for a healthier Europe
- Improving Europe's position in accelerating the development of therapeutic breakthroughs, identifying unmet patient health needs and providing resources and flexibility for the European Medicines Agency to be at the forefront of global regulatory excellence.
- Advancing clinical research in Europe through innovative trial designs, digital tools and optimized regulatory processes to be a global leader.
- Securing Europe's world-leading intellectual property system by promoting strong IP protection, incentives and reward mechanisms for research and development, as well as new incentives for high unmet medical needs such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Support for start-ups and smaller biotech companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), should also be a focus.
Research - The most effective medicine for Europe
Thanks to breakthroughs in biopharmaceutical research and advances in preventive measures and infection control, including vaccination, screening, diagnosis and treatment, EU citizens now enjoy up to 30 years longer life expectancy compared to a century ago. In the last 20 years, the mortality rate from cancer alone has fallen by 20 percent.
With its medical successes, Europe's innovative pharmaceutical industry has also become an important pillar of the economy. With an annual contribution of 136 billion euros to the EU trade surplus, it is the leading innovative sector, employing 840,000 people across Europe and investing a higher percentage of its 42 billion euros annual turnover in European research and development than any other high-tech sector.
An innovative environment for the research-based pharmaceutical industry not only ensures access for European patients to clinical trials, prevention and treatment advances, but also has significant geopolitical importance. Events such as the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic have made it clear how dangerous excessive foreign trade dependencies can be.
In turbulent times, a long-term strategy is essential, especially when the US and China offer attractive markets with subsidies, more efficient bureaucratic processes and lower energy prices. Europe is competing with these strong players who have actively invested in building a thriving biopharmaceutical research and development landscape over the last two decades. Europe need not fear this strong competition, but it should also let go of the assumption that it is automatically a leader in all areas. This requires policies that understand the challenges of the time and have the courage and means to shape them. We are convinced that Europe can do just that, or to put it another way: the best is yet to come!
Competitiveness, predictability and resilience play a role in strengthening Europe as an innovative pharmaceutical location. Research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers need the certainty that their high-risk investments in cutting-edge research will be made within a reliable framework.
New impetus sought for the EU pharma package
Europe is currently at a decisive turning point in the pharmaceutical sector and is attempting to provide new impetus with the EU pharma package. However, the implementation of a comprehensive new regulation of EU pharmaceutical law has so far fallen short of expectations. Instead of seizing this unique opportunity, the initiative often gets bogged down in detailed regulations on medical underuse and medicines for rare diseases. A step backwards can even be seen in the intended reduction in document protection.
It is time to seize opportunities and subject the EU pharmaceutical package to an inspiring overhaul. Perhaps the forthcoming European elections could provide the necessary impetus. Brussels needs a prestige project, and nothing would be better suited than making the European benefit assessment a success similar to that of the European marketing authorization. It offers the opportunity to accelerate access to innovative medicines and vaccines for all Europeans and thus further strengthen public health protection in Europe. It is time to think visionary and ensure that Europe is at the forefront of pharmaceutical regulation.
