Overcoming obstacles to European leadership in medical innovation – POLITICO

As CEOs of global pharmaceutical companies, we regularly make decisions about where research, development and manufacturing are located. These decisions are based on a series of factors that, combined, give us the best chance of discovering, developing and delivering new medicines that can transform patients’ lives.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted, perhaps like never before, that our health and our economic growth are inextricably linked. With more than 9,000 medicines and vaccines in development, contributing €311 billion to the EU economy and supporting 2.3 million EU jobs, our sector is in a position to help Europeans live longer and feel better while boosting the EU’s growth and resilience.

Europe has great potential, a highly skilled workforce, cutting-edge science and world-renowned academic institutions. Our companies have a strong footprint in Europe – and we are committed to working with the EU and its member states to resolve the issues that prevent them from becoming a global leader in medical innovation.

1. It starts with leadership and accountability.

We were encouraged by President Ursula von der Leyen’s inclusion of a European life sciences strategy in the political guidelines for the next mandate of the European Commission and its subsequent inclusion in the commissioners’ mission letters designated.

Responsibility for policies that affect our sector lies in several branches of the commission. This can lead to a fragmented legislative environment in which contradictory and inconsistent policies have concrete consequences for life sciences companies operating in Europe.