Pharmaceutical: European Commission launches consultation on safe and affordable medicines
On 16 June 2020, the European Commission launched a consultation on a new EU strategy to improve and accelerate patients’ access to safe and affordable medicines and to support innovation in the EU pharmaceutical industry.
The feedback period started on 16 June 2020 and will last until 15 September 2020.
The consultation covers issues such as:
- the life cycle of medicines from research and development to authorisation and patient access
- how to put scientific and technological advances into practice
- how to fill market gaps (e.g. new antimicrobials)
- lessons learnt from COVID-19 on how to better prepare for future pandemics
The consultation could well lead to the adoption of a "communication" in Q4 2020. When the Commission issues such a consultation then there is real chance that the Commission will adopt the communication. So anyone interested in the pharmaceutical sector would be well-advised to become involved in the process. Details on the consultation are available here.
For more information on this topic please contact Dr Vincent Power, Partner or any member of A&L Goodbody's EU, Competition & Procurement team.
Date published: 17 June 2020