Council supports measures to improve pharma industry's competitiveness

TheCommissionunderlines in its Communication the necessity to create a framework for action based on the existing initiatives (Pharma Review, Public Health Action Programme) to move forward on issues, such as better access to medicines, integration of markets, competition from generic medicines, etc. In addition, it proposes the launch of a benchmarking exercise to monitor more closely the competitiveness of the industry. The Commission finds that action at national level could make a significant contribution in many areas; in particular, Member States could consider how market integration could be better promoted and what alternative ways may be possible to control pharmaceutical expenditure.

TheCouncil, in its Conclusions of 22 September, calls on the Member States to

• actively participate in the implementation of the key actions defined by the Commission, in particular, the Commission's benchmarking efforts;
• consider the Commission's suggested actions concerning authorised medicines that are neither purchased nor reimbursed by the state;
• take into consideration the implementing actions proposed by the Commission aiming to speed up the launch of medicines on the market after granting marketing authorisation.

TheCouncilasks the Commission to organise an "EU-wide reflection" with Member States and stakeholders on different approaches to pricing and reimbursement for pharmaceutical products, with a view to improving the integration of the European market in this area as much as possible. The Council expects regular updates from the Commission on the results of the benchmarking exercises on competitiveness and public health.