The European Commission has published its Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, setting out how it aims to improve the policy and legislative context for the development, approval and availability of medicines in the European Union. The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe aims to create a future proof regulatory framework, whilst supporting industry by promoting research and technologies that will benefit patients. In addition, the strategy will address weaknesses exposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The strategy has 4 specific pillars, which include legislative and non-legislative action:
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Ensuring access to affordable medicines for patients, as well as addressing unmet medical needs
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Supporting competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and the development of high quality, safe, effective and greener medicines
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Enhancing crisis preparedness and response mechanisms, diversified and secure supply chains, addressing medicines shortages
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Ensuring a strong EU voice in the world, by promoting a high level of quality, efficacy and safety standards.
The strategy includes a number of actions points, some of which are already under way (e.g. revision of the legislation on rare diseases and children). The implementation of the strategy will span the mandate of Commission (until 2027) and will include a proposal for revision of pharmaceutical legislation in 2022. You can read the full publication here: https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/human-use/docs/pharmastrategy_com2020-761_en.pdf
