Innovation wanted: How can we solve the healthcare challenges facing Europe?

When the European Commission announced the most significant overhaul of the General Pharmaceutical Legislation in two decades, coincidently, I was in Brussels meeting with various stakeholders including patient groups, MEPs, Country Ambassadors and Health Attachés to discuss the outlook for healthcare in Europe. It provided a unique opportunity to engage first-hand in discussions as the proposed revised legislation went live.

Yesterday EU Ministers of Health came together in Luxembourg at the Council of the European Union Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (ESPCO) Meeting to exchange their views on how we can strengthen the pharmaceutical ecosystem in support of competitiveness and equitable access to medicines. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some personal thoughts on the proposed revisions and outline the necessary steps I believe we must take to address the healthcare challenges Europe is currently facing.

Whilst there have already been some strong reactions and concerns raised about some of the revisions that have been put forward by the Commission, the one thing I think we can all agree on is the need for change. Because Europe is changing. Patient numbers are increasing in line with an ageing population who are living with multiple chronic diseases. Healthcare systems are being stretched to the max, and too many patients are waiting too long for potentially life-saving treatments. At the same time, scientific progress is accelerating and the regulatory pathways that we rely on are not designed for the innovative, advanced therapies of today let alone tomorrow.

So, the question we’re all seeking to answer is: How can we future-proof Europe?

My conversations in Brussels highlighted just how critical innovation will be in securing a healthier future for Europe. Investments into R&D help the healthcare system to evolve and develop faster. If you bring innovation and research into a country, you are more likely to carry out the development there too – which will in turn help to enhance disease understanding, support earlier detection and diagnosis and drive access to medicines faster due to the patient data collected from clinical trials in that country.

At 阿斯利康 , we continue to invest in innovation across Europe, with two of our strategic R&D sites in Europe and the recent establishment of a new R&D Hub in Barcelona, Spain, which will drive excellence in clinical innovation and accelerate the provision of new life-transforming therapies for patients in Europe and worldwide.

Unfortunately, this investment trend is not widespread across the industry. Europe now conducts half as many clinical trials as the US, and just a third as many as China. While 25 years ago half of all new medicines originated from Europe, that figure is now just one in five. Behind these statistics are European patients missing out on the opportunity to benefit from the latest medical innovations. If we don’t reverse this trend now, we will only witness further decline.

I firmly believe that Europe has the capability and should strive to retain its status as a premier global hub for excellence in life sciences. The goals of the proposed revisions, such as ensuring timely, equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines, are undoubtedly crucial. However, we must carefully consider whether these revisions offer the appropriate approach. Do they establish a stable environment that incentivises investment in much-needed biopharmaceutical innovation? As they currently stand, I don’t believe they do.

To maintain the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry globally, it's crucial to encourage scientific and technological innovation through appropriate incentives. This requires creating a favourable infrastructure that continually supports cutting-edge medical research rather than simply maintaining an increasingly outdated status quo.

As the legislative process unfolds, it is my sincere hope that through open dialogue and a collaborative spirit, we can identify solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders involved. It is paramount that we prioritise continued investment in health innovation, as it serves as the cornerstone for cultivating a healthier Europe.

By investing in health, we’re also investing in our economy’s future, creating a solid foundation for people, our society and our planet.