TOGETHER FOR HEALTH

Europeans believe in equitable access to healthcare through valued national health systems. Yet, when it comes to medicines, we are confronted with fragmentation, sustainability challenges and denial of access to important medicines. It's time for a major change.

The European elections are an opportunity to improve EU policy for better and more equitable access to medicines for all patients.

#TOGETHER4HEALTHsets out a new vision to deliver access to medicines for all Europeans based on 4 important pillars that should be the basis of the European Union's pharmaceutical policy.

The European Union should play a key role in shaping healthcare policies: support #TOGETHER4HEALTH

Medicines for Europe represents the pharmaceutical companies supplying the largest share of medicines across Europe and is the voice of the generic, biosimilar and value added medicines industries.

As a leading partner for better healthcare, we aim to increase the health and wellbeing of all Europeans through better access to high-quality medicines. Doing so safeguards the sustainability of Europe's healthcare systems for future generations.

OUR MEMBERS

#TOGETHER4HEALTH sets out a new vision to deliver access to medicines for all Europeans based on 4 important pillars that should be the basis of the European Union's pharmaceutical policy.

Today, patient access to medicines depends on the wealth of the EU country or region they live in. Limited access can undermine public health at a time of growing chronic disease rates.

OUR COMMITMENT

• increase access to generic, biosimilar and value added medicines due to competition in the medicines market;
• strive to remove barriers to patient access to medicines everywhere in Europe;
• work with the healthcare community to improve equity of access to medicines in Europe's pharmaceutical policies.
  

WE CALL ON THE EU TO:

• recognise the key role of generic, biosimilar and value added medicines in healthcare policies. These are the biggest drivers in enhancing equitable access across the EU;
• ensure effective competition in the off-patent sector and promote the removal of all barriers to timely entry of generic, biosimilar and value added medicines;
• encourage the development of competitive, yet sustainable market policies, rather than applying cost-containment measures, to ensure long-term availability and benefits from generic, biosimilar and value added medicines.

Today, despite progress, the EU regulatory environment is still quite fragmented. More efficient and rigorous regulatory standards for safe, high-quality and effective medicines could stimulate new product development, prevent shortages and facilitate global access to medicines.

OUR COMMITMENT

• engage in constructive dialogue with regulators to build a more efficient regulatory environment delivering more value for patients and public health;
• contribute to the development of modern therapeutic alternatives that are accessible to patients;
• address concerns over the environment and anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
  

WE CALL ON THE EU TO:

• assess the coherence and fitness for purpose of the current regulatory framework to ensure patient access to generic, biosimilar and value added medicines;
• put in place measures to optimise R&D and tailor regulatory processes to off-patent medicinal products;
• move towards a single development programme and single data package to serve patients' needs globally and reduce the unnecessary and unethical duplication of tests and trials;
• shape the global agenda for regulatory harmonisation to enable regulatory standards internationally.

Today, we are competing globally, therefore it is crucial to ensure a sustainable pharmaceutical industrial ecosystem that stimulates European industry to be a strong key driver to boost economic growth and generate jobs. Our industry supplies close to 70% of Europe's dispensed medicines through over 400 factories located across the continent.

OUR COMMITMENT

• remove current EU laws that force manufacturers to delocalise;
• scale up our manufacturing footprint by investing in R&D and creating more highskilled jobs for Europeans;
• develop more complex medicines in Europe to meet the healthcare needs of our communities;
• supply in Europe and export as global leaders.
  

WE CALL ON THE EU TO:

• promote the secure supply of medicines for Europe through an ambitious industrial strategy;
• boost European industry and create a level playing field between EU and non-EU companies;
• build on Europe's strength in technology and R&D in chemicals and pharmaceuticals to enable a strong manufacturing ecosystem;
• create incentives for the manufacturing of essential medicines, ensuring security of supply and reducing the risk of shortages.

Today, patients desire greater involvement in the management of their conditions. By fostering continuous optimisation of existing therapies and embracing digitalisation in the healthcare system, the industry can empower patients and healthcare professionals as well as improve healthcare systems.

OUR COMMITMENT

• invest in R&D in the off-patent sector to upgrade existing therapies with the latest technologies and research on new therapeutic indications;
• engage with the healthcare community, to discuss unmet needs and develop alternative avenues to enable timely access to value added medicines;
• partner with the healthcare community to ensure they are well informed in the era o digitalisation.

WE CALL ON THE EU TO:

• encourage adjustments in the healthcare decision-making processes in Europe to integrate and recognise the benefits of R&D in the off-patent sector, such as value added medicines;
• maximise healthcare community collaboration to bring timely patient access to value added medicines while addressing healthcare efficiency and the sustainability of healthcare systems;
• promote modern and efficient digitalisation and development of health telematic systems that will guarantee meaningful empowerment of patients in their healthcare journey, a better decision-making process and stronger connectivity in the healthcare community.
  

Medicines for Europe

• Email

  info@medicinesforeurope.com

• Phone

  +32 (0)2 736 84 11

• Address

  Rue d'Arlon, 50 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

• Elsewhere

  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • GitHub