Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated that Europe has a way to go in terms of ensuring the availability of medicines – and developing new ones.
Europe’s is hoping to put the continent back in the top place for research and development, as well as reduce inequalities in patients’ access to medicines.
In this series of articles, EURACTIV.cz reporters explore the main topics that will be touched on during and after the Czech EU presidency when it comes to the pharmaceutical sector.
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Industry disputes claims that waiving IP rights will ensure availability of medicines
Est. 5minThe European Commission is leading talks on a waiver of intellectual property (IP) rights on COVID vaccines and treatments. However, critics from the pharmaceutical industry argue that changes to the current IP system could jeopardise research and development in their sector.
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Czech experts: Tackling cancer care inequalities in Europe requires more data
Est. 4minAccess to oncology care in Europe is often accompanied by inequalities which can be tackled by better data collection and usage, Czech experts say. EURACTIV.cz reports.
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Push to revamp rare disease EU framework intensifies before Czech presidency
Est. 5minImproving screening tools and strengthening the incentive system for orphan drugs are among the main suggestions for overhauling the European legislation on rare diseases, a topic included in the health priorities of the forthcoming Czech presidency of the EU.
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Innovation or stagnation? EU pharma industry at a crossroads ahead of rules revision
Est. 4minWar, COVID-19 pandemic and vulnerability of supply chains are pushing the EU to be more resilient and self-sufficient in pharmaceutics production. The revision of existing legislation offers the possibility to unlock investments and research in this area.
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Health experts challenge inequitable distribution of new medicines across EU
Est. 5minAs the EU seeks to ensure that patients across all its countries have access to modern, affordable medicines in sufficient quantities, experts warn that the current system is financially unsustainable and call for a change.
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Czech presidency commits to follow up on EU rare diseases action plan
Est. 5minThe Czech Presidency of the EU Council said it will cooperate with forthcoming Council presidencies to create an EU action plan for rare diseases.
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Stakeholders doubtful EU health data space will launch on schedule
Est. 4minStakeholders expressed concern that the European Health Data Space (EDHS), aimed at reforming the sharing of health data across hospitals around the EU, will launch as planned in 2025 due to a large number of issues still to be addressed.
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Czech drug advisory commission for rare diseases makes slow progress
Est. 4minThe Czech reimbursement mechanism for rare diseases has been applauded for involving patient organisations in its decision-making processes - however, only one drug has completed the approval process so far.
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Czech stakeholders: Secondary use of health data still needs fine-tuning
Est. 5minSome EU countries such as Czechia are already making 'secondary use' of health data, ahead of the set-up of the new EU-wide framework to boost the digitalisation of the sector.
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A single market for medicines would be no panacea, pharma companies warn
Est. 5minThe EU pharmaceutical market's problems 'cannot be solved with the stroke of a pen in Brussels', drug manufacturers warned, emphasising that new European pharma rules must not neglect patent protection.
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Commission and pharma industry in dispute over R&D incentives
Est. 6minThe European Commission argues that the upcoming pharmaceutical revision must not favour incentives to industry over the availability of medicines, while drug manufacturers warn that in pharmaceutical research and development, Europe is already lagging behind major global competitors, the United States and China.