About: EFPIA
Widely criticised IP waiver text to be presented to all WTO members
A widely criticised document produced in international negotiations is set to be presented to all 164 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members in the next step of talks on a waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
EU defends IP waiver compromise amid pressure on India, South Africa to reject it
A broad international platform of activists, unions and experts has urged India and South Africa to reject the leaked compromise on intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, which the European Commission considers the ‘most promising path’ to sort out the issue.
Pharma industry presents proposals to address inequalities in medicine access
To address the issue of unequal access to medicines in Europe, the EU pharmaceutical industry commits to file pricing and reimbursement applications no later than two years after the EU market authorisation.
New challenges ahead as provisional compromise on IP waivers is reached in WTO
News of a provisional compromise to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines between the EU, USA, India and South Africa in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), leaves out treatments for COVID-19.
Revision of orphan and paediatric drug framework needed, say reports
Both the European Parliament and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have reiterated the need to update the regulations on medicines for children and orphan drugs, in order to better address unmet needs of children and adolescents in cancer care.
EU unprepared to tackle Alzheimer’s disease as new treatments progress
European Union countries are still lagging behind in tackling Alzheimer’s disease despite calls by the World Health Organisation for urgent action as cases in the European region are expected to double.
EU cancer plan ushers in ‘new era’ for preventing, tackling cancer
Stakeholders in the health sector widely welcomed the long-awaited Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, unveiled on Wednesday (3 January), as a "new era for cancer care and cancer patients" which places the European Union at the forefront of research and innovation efforts.
Transparency in the race for a COVID vaccine
As the coronavirus crisis continues to have a devasting impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, all eyes are on scientists to deliver on a COVID-19 vaccine. It is widely accepted that a safe and effective vaccine represents our best chance...
Commission announces funding for COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment projects
The European Commission announced on Tuesday (12 May) that eight research projects aimed at developing treatments and diagnostics for the coronavirus have been selected for funding in a fast-track call for proposals.
Pharma boss: EU will have to focus on long-term medical research ecosystem
After the coronavirus crisis is over, Europe will need policies that can create a research ecosystem in the long run as well as ensure access to medicines to the patients who need them in a way that is sustainable for health systems today and tomorrow, a leading representative of European pharmaceuticals told EURACTIV in an interview.
Better access to health innovation is Kyriakides’ top priority (and hardest task)
With increased powers, Health Commissioner-designate Stella Kyriakides is tasked with striking a difficult balance between making sure there is a steady supply of affordable medicines and ensuring that EU pharma industry remains a world leader in innovation.
New pharma boss: Next EU Commission should be clear on how to protect innovation
The next EU Commission should take a stronger position on innovation in the pharma sector, the new leader of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Pharma industry raises the alarm about stockpiling of generic drugs
The industry of innovative medicines is concerned with a recent vote in the European Parliament on the stockpiling of generic drugs, saying that it causes uncertainty over innovation in the pharmaceutical field.
Discussion heats up over stockpiling of generic drugs under patent protection
The Commission has announced its intention to add a manufacturing waiver to supplementary protection certificates (SPC), as part of its upgraded 2015 Single Market Strategy.
Protecting the spark, avoiding the storm
Every new treatment, every transformational shift in the outlook for patients starts with the spark of an idea, writes Nathalie Moll.
Does fast-track drugs approval in EU run too fast?
More than two years after its launch, the EU's fast-track approval process for marketing new drugs, called PRIME, is broadly welcomed by patients and industry, walking the fine line between patients' safety and expediency, and between the need to foster innovation and remaining abuse-proof.
Drug industry reacts to Oxfam’s allegations of tax-dodging
Four of the world’s biggest pharma companies appear to hide their profits in tax havens, according to a report published by Oxfam on Tuesday (18 September). Businesses said they are in the clear.
EFPIA President: Next EU Commission should prioritise competitiveness in pharma innovation
The next European Commission should focus on the bloc’s role in the global context of innovation, as China is “decisive” about creating a reliable framework for intellectual property and connecting biotech start-ups and digital companies, EFPIA’s President Stefan Oschmann told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Time to end fragmentation of EU healthcare, experts say
Experts are asking for a more collaborative approach in EU healthcare and greater involvement of the European Commission in order to face rising challenges and put patients at the core of decision-making.
Pharma boss: Incentives based on outcomes will optimise EU healthcare
An outcomes-based approach for incentives in the pharmaceutical sector would help optimise the entire healthcare systems, Nathalie Moll told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Celgene boss: Chronic diseases will bankrupt Europe if incentives are dropped
Alzheimers, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases will bankrupt Europe if we don’t keep the incentive frameworks alive and well, Mark Alles told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
New Commission study fuels generic drugs industry ‘manufacturing dispute’
The European Commission launched on Thursday (12 October) a public consultation on supplementary protection certificates for pharmaceutical products and the so-called Bolar patent research exemption.
Pharma boss: Targeting drugs won’t make healthcare systems more sustainable
“Salami-slicing” the cost of medicines, which represent almost one-fifth of health system budgets and are subject to rigorous value assessments, won’t make healthcare systems more sustainable in the future, Nathalie Moll told EURACTIV.com in an interview.