Pharma Should be at Heart of European Economic Reform, says EFPIA

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) yesterday launched what it called “a landmark paper” outlining steps towards 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 to address the EU’s growing health and competitiveness challenges. The paper lays out a case for placing the pharmaceutical industry at the heart of European economic reform and growth.

EFPIA President, Christopher Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi, said : “We need to better understand the environmental and demographic factors driving healthcare spending… 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, added: “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.”

EFPIA is calling for greater political collaboration to agree a comprehensive strategy for life sciences, based on three “separate but interdependent pillars”:

1. Improvement of health outcomes and removal of inequalities to better patient benefits;
2. Support for sustainable and predictable healthcare systems to speed access to medicines;
3. The building of a thriving innovative life sciences sector to promote European competitiveness.

www.efpia.eu