On the 25th November 2020, the Commission adopted a “Pharmaceutical strategy for Europe” to ensure patients have access to innovative and affordable medicines and to support the competitiveness, innovative capacity and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry.
EPTRI participated in the consultation phase underlining the necessity to stress new adequate health policies and actions promoting the development and the access to safe and efficacious medicines specific for children. It is possible to read the complete document at this link.
Moreover, a position paper was prepared by EPTRI which turn on a spotlight on the huge impact of the shortage of medicines, also caused by the pandemic situation, on the paediatric situation exacerbating the delays in having access to cures.
The Strategy will allow Europe to cover its pharmaceutical needs, including in times of crisis, through robust supply chains.
Europe’s Pharmaceutical Strategy has four main objectives:
- Ensuring access to affordable medicines for patients, and addressing unmet medical needs (e.g. in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, cancer, rare diseases);
- Supporting competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and the development of high quality, safe, effective and greener medicines
- Enhancing crisis preparedness and response mechanisms, and addressing security of supply;
- Ensuring a strong EU voice in the world, by promoting a high level of quality, efficacy and safety standards.
The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe marks the beginning of a process: its implementation includes an ambitious agenda of legislative and non-legislative actions which will be launched over the coming years.
Further information is available at this link.