Ensuring Equitable Access to Medicines
Access to medicines remains a critical issue in Europe, where disparities in the availability and timeliness of innovative treatments persist. The latest findings from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) Patient W.A.I.T. (Waiting to Access Innovative Therapies) indicator survey[1] paint a concerning picture. The average time it takes for patients in European Economic Area (EEA) countries to access new medicines after central regulatory approval from the European Medicines Agency has reached 531 days. This timeframe varies widely, from 126 days in Germany to a staggering 918 days in Romania. This is unacceptable. Such delays not only hinder patients' ability to benefit from breakthrough treatments, but also exacerbate existing health inequities across the region.
At Pfizer, our commitment to improving access to medicines is not just a corporate responsibility but a moral imperative, as demonstrated by our global health initiative, the Accord for a Healthier World. With this initiative, we aim to close the healthcare equity gap in 45 lower-income countries by providing access to all our patented medicines on a not-for-profit basis; however, the issues highlighted by the EFPIA data show that even within Europe, there is still significant work to be done.
The root causes of these delays are multifaceted and mostly related to local processes, as shown in the EFPIA-CRA report on the root causes of access delays[2]. They often stem from a combination of factors, including lengthy regulatory processes, the speed of health technology assessments, duplicative or inconsistent evidence requirements, and health system readiness.
To address these issues, a collaborative approach is essential.
- We need to develop a shared understanding of the root causes behind these delays. Transparency is key, and EFPIA’s willingness to shed light on these issues through its above-mentioned reports is a positive step forward.
- There is a need to enhance the infrastructure contributing to these delays. As scientific progress accelerates, with new and innovative treatments being developed at an unprecedented pace, the systems that enable patient access must evolve in parallel. This requires a proactive approach, one that is opportunistic in leveraging advancements in technology and process improvements to streamline access.
- Fostering an inclusive dialogue about the benefits of improved access is crucial. This means engaging with a broad range of stakeholders, including patients, healthcare professionals, health technology assessment agencies, healthcare providers, and policymakers, to ensure that the conversation around access is comprehensive and considers all perspectives. Only through such an inclusive approach can we channel the shared sense of urgency into developing constructive, future-proof policies and solutions that incentivize innovation while ensuring timely access for patients.
The findings from EFPIA’s W.A.I.T. survey and accompanying root causes analysis make it clear: the time for concerted action is now. We need to implement a multi-stakeholder strategy that prioritizes both innovation and access. For Europe to continue to thrive and for its citizens to fully benefit from the latest medical breakthroughs, timely and equitable access to medicines must be a top priority. As we move forward, Pfizer remains committed to working with all relevant parties to make this a reality.
[1] https://efpia.eu/media/vtapbere/efpia-patient-wait-indicator-2024.pdf
[2] https://www.efpia.eu/media/xsmfuf4h/root-causes-of-unavailability-and-delay-efpia-cra-2024.pdf