On December 16, the Commission unveiled its Biotech Act and Safe Hearts Plan, following closely on the heels of an eagerly awaited update to the pharmaceutical legislation. Together, these initiatives aim to encourage industrial innovation within Europe, enhance medicine accessibility, and address cardiovascular disease challenges.
The biotech proposal received widespread endorsement from the pharmaceutical sector.
“The Biotech Act aligns with priorities we have strongly promoted to ensure Europe’s global competitiveness in life sciences,” stated Ognjenka Manojlovic, Sanofi’s head of policy. Manojlovic highlighted the acceleration of clinical trials, enhancement of intellectual property rights, and bolstering of Europe’s biotech sector financing.
The pharmaceutical industry had advocated for longer monopoly rights within the pharma legislation. Ultimately, the current standard of eight years was retained, rejecting the European Commission’s earlier suggestion to reduce it by two years.
For Europe’s public health insurers, who fund medications, the decision to sustain and expand market protections is perplexing.
“We are perplexed by the Commission’s objectives,” commented Yannis Natsis, director of the European Social Insurance Platform, expressing concern over the potential financial burden on taxpayers.
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