The EESC:
- welcomes the fact that the new pharmaceutical strategy demonstrates the intention to promote the competitiveness of the related industry in Europe but also to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality and bearable medicines and to ensure the financial sustainability of Member States' health systems;
- stresses the challenge that common strategies represent for drug research and development, as well as for pricing;
- considers it urgent to review the legal framework currently applicable to medicines, to adapt it and to attach stricter conditions regarding their affordability and availability;
- stresses the essential role of an operating, fair and effective single market, which also encourages, and also rewards, real medical advances that have real added value for health care, while also working to strengthen competition, with a view to ensuring equitable and financially sustainable access to medicines.
For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.