“The State of the Union speech highlights a number of positive and welcome initiatives from the European Commission over the past year.  

The announcement of a Life Science Strategy, including actions to address long-standing issues which have hampered the region’s competitiveness, preventing European patients from accessing the latest advances in treatment, was a particularly welcome step forward.   

Today's Europe continues to be reshaped by geopolitical dynamics, shifts in trade policy and the ambitions of competitor regions to lead in the field of pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.  

We remain positive that through the reform of the EU Pharmaceutical Legislation, the Life Science Strategy and the Biotech Act - as well as initiatives aimed at simplification and acceleration of innovation processes - we will see a commitment to reverse the negative trends of recent years. We were glad to see President von der Leyen recognising the importance of the strategic dialogues with industry and the Draghi report. The pharmaceutical sector is ready to continue these constructive discussions and find solutions to boost a thriving life sciences ecosystem in Europe.  

The risk could not be clearer: Europe's place as an innovator in healthcare is in jeopardy. Success requires an urgently updated and attractive operating environment, a commitment to invest in - and use new medicines - and a real desire to lead.

The coming year will be equally as important as the last."     

- Nathalie Moll, Director General EFPIA