EFPIA, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, has launched a paper outlining steps toward an integrated strategy for the life sciences sector in Europe.
Health & Growth—Working together for a healthy Europe calls for a new generation of partnerships and collaborative solutions to address the E.U.’s growing health and competitiveness challenges. The paper lays out a strong case for placing the pharmaceutical industry at the heart of European economic reform and growth. It delivers concrete recommendations toward achieving healthier citizens and workforces, creating new jobs and reaffirming Europe’s position as a global leader in R&D.
Christopher Viehbacher, Sanofi CEO and EFPIA president, said, “Only a significant improvement in health outcomes, supported by increased innovation, can keep healthcare expenditure under control. This requires collaboration and a change in perception. We need to better understand the environmental and demographic factors driving healthcare spending, what are the future needs in terms of prevention and disease management, what is the value of investment in different areas and what innovative approaches will have the most effect. If we want sustainable systems, we can’t revamp just one area; we need to address the system as a whole.”
Richard Bergström, director general EFPIA, said, “EFPIA believes in a new generation of multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborative solutions to target the E.U.’s health and competitiveness challenges. We must start thinking outside the box and ensure our industry is connected not just on debates about wellbeing, but also about jobs, growth and economic stability. A new European life sciences strategy will be vital to achieving the objectives of Europe 2020 and beyond.”
European healthcare systems have come under increasing strain due to economic recession and austerity policies. With Europe now emerging from the crisis, there is an opportunity to improve health prospects of citizens, while promoting economic growth. As new European leaders and policymakers across the political spectrum begin work to improve Europe’s future, EFPIA calls for greater political collaboration to agree on a comprehensive strategy for life sciences, based on three separate but interdependent pillars: improvement of health outcomes and removal of inequalities to better patient benefits; support for sustainable and predictable healthcare systems to speed access to medicines; and the building of a thriving innovative life sciences sector to promote European competitiveness.
