About: generic drugs

EU generics industry slams US ‘intervention’ in SPC manufacturing waiver talks

The EU generics industry has accused the US government of intervening in the ongoing discussion in the EU on the introduction of a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) manufacturing waiver.

New drugs: how much are governments paying for innovation?

The European healthcare sector is divided over the “actual value” EU governments pay for the authorised and partly public-funded novel drugs, compared to medicines already on the market.

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.  

Andriukaitis: SPC manufacturing waiver does not damage pharma innovation

The European Commission’s proposal to add an SPC manufacturing waiver on exports will not damage innovation, as the pharma industry claims, and only intends to support small and medium generic drug companies, according to EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis.

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.

Patients: ‘Think carefully’ before questioning orphan drugs’ incentives

Organisations of patients with rare diseases have warned EU policymakers to “think carefully” before reviewing the incentives in the orphan drugs regulation, claiming that the pharma industry should not be discouraged from investing in new therapies.

Andriukaitis: Supporting drug innovation is ‘the only way’

Backing innovation in the pharmaceutical market and developing new evidence-based economic models is the only way forward for future healthcare, according to EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis.

EU drug agency announces ‘business continuity’ plan amid relocation uncertainty

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) presented on Tuesday (1 August) a business continuity plan aimed at tackling the potential challenges poised by its relocation from London to another member state after the Brexit decision.

Pharma expert: EU drug agency should be ‘easily’ accessible to all

Any country that wants to inherit the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from London has to be easily accessible. Candidates will also need to increase their national agency’s resources, as staff are expected to move to the EMA, according to Adrian van den Hoven.

Southern EU states present unified front in drug talks

Six southern member states have signed a common declaration, aiming to enhance their cooperation and jointly negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry on drug pricing.

Pharma boss: Some EU countries effectively delay market entry of generics

The harmonisation of different regulatory environments in the EU member states will help generic drugs enter the market, resulting in reduced prices for medicine and better patient access, Jacek Glinka told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

EU Parliament demands clarity in public funding of drugs R+D

A European Parliament resolution adopted yesterday (2 March) called for transparency and clarity of public funding on research and development of new drugs, claiming that in such cases public investment should be reflected in the price of drugs.

Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing

Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.

OECD criticises ‘ineffective spending’ in healthcare

Health spending in countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is "at best ineffective and at worst wasteful", a new report has found.

Health minister: Drugs pricing will top Malta’s EU presidency

The Maltese EU presidency will seek more transparency in the way pharmaceutical companies negotiate with member states on medicines’ pricing, Health Minister Chris Fearne said in an interview with EURACTIV.

Italy’s pharma scandal heats up drugs pricing debate

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has urged the European Commission to investigate pharma-industry “unethical” practices on drug pricing, after a scandal revealed last week in Italy.

Number of pharmaceutical drug approvals hits record high

2015 was a good year for innovation in medicine in both the EU and the US, according to data published on Monday (4 January).

France should give doctors bonuses to prescribe generic drugs

France is spending too much money on medicine and needs to promote the use of generic drugs. The French Court of Auditors recommends offering doctors incentives to prescribe cheaper generics to achieve this and capping their prescription budgets.

Regulators pave way for new wave of biosimilar drugs in Europe

European regulators have cleared the way for the first serious threat to the makers of multibillion-euro biotechnology drugs to treat diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Pharma firms face EU fines for delaying cheaper drugs

European regulators will clamp down on "pay-for-delay" deals in the pharmaceutical sector this month, fining Denmark's Lundbeck and eight other generic drug manufacturers for limiting access of cheaper products to the market.

Drugmakers suffer decline in trust, report says

The overall corporate reputation of pharmaceutical companies declined in 2012 compared to 2011, according to an independent study by patients' organisations.

EU-India summit to push for trade agreement by mid-2011

An EU-India summit tomorrow (10 December) will accelerate progress towards signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by next spring, EU officials said. 

EU raids AstraZeneca and other drugmakers

EU antitrust regulators have raided the offices of some pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, suspected of colluding to block the market entry of cheaper generic drugs.