More innovation called for in EU pharmaceuticals

All EU agencies need to work together to increase innovation in the European pharmaceutical sector, ministers and industry leaders have said.

A summit in London, called by the UK presidency of the EU, brought politicians, representatives of the European commission and industry leaders together to discuss the future of the European medical industry.

Topics on the table included improving innovation and patient access to pharmaceuticals as well as the importance of maintaining a strong European industry to deal with competition from both the US and emerging economic powerhouses such as India and China.

Health minister Jane Kennedy, who co-chaired the meeting, said: “Medicines and vaccines have saved the lives of many and improved the quality of life for countless more.

“I believe that if we are to achieve our objective of securing safe and effective medicines for our citizens, while strengthening the industry within Europe, we need engagement at all levels from the commission, member states, regulators, patients and industry.”

National and industrial representatives will consider the issues again at the first European Pharmaceutical Forum next summer.

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