Ambition versus reality: reflections and reactions to the revision of the general pharma legislation

Following the publication of the proposed update to the EU’s general pharmaceutical legislation, this dinner debate was an opportunity to step back and consider if and how the overarching aims of the 2020 pharmaceutical strategy and its revision are met by the proposal. What impacts will the proposed update have on patients, the industry and public bodies? Does it offer enough stability for the industry to invest in Europe?

The proposed overhaul of EU pharmaceutical legislation won’t encourage investment in Europe, according to a number of stakeholders who joined the dinner to discuss how to better deliver innovative treatments to EU citizens.

Only 22% of new treatments today come from Europe, compared to 50% from the United States. When it comes to innovation, the EU proposal “completely misses the boat,” said Nathalie Moll, Director-General of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). “We have to improve innovation by creating an environment that makes companies sure [that] if they invest [in Europe] they will find something there in future,” she added.

Susana Solís Pérez, Member of the European Parliament, agreed that the proposed revision “needs to offer security and protection so innovation happens in Europe and not elsewhere.”

Åsa Kumlin, EU Coordinator at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, reminded the audience that the main objective of the review was to ensure that treatments “reach all citizens, at an affordable price.” In order to do this, she said “a predictable playing field” was needed for investment and innovation.

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