Access to innovative medicines

20.7.2015

Question for written answer E-011675-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Neena Gill (S&D)

Innovative medicines are often very expensive in the EU. Currently prices of medicines are negotiated between the pharmaceutical company and the different national authorities. This does not lead to the most efficient price-setting for patients. Negotiations on prices of innovative medicines at European level could ensure better financial accessibility for these medicines. Once a reference price is fixed at EU level, the final price could be set in relation to the GDP of a Member State, and the free circulation of these innovative medicines could also be restricted where justified reasons exist. Such a system of price negotiations at EU level will increase the financial accessibility of innovative medicines in the EU and guarantee a volume increase for the pharmaceutical companies.

Could the Commission outline its strategy for making innovative medicines more accessible?