European Parliament to press Commission and Council over US drug pricing policies

The European Parliament’s Public Health (SANT) Committee adopted two oral questions on Thursday (15 October), calling on both the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to address the impact of US pharmaceutical pricing policies on access to medicines in Europe.

Led by Danish Renew Europe MEP Stine Bosse, the questions seek a European response to US measures threatening patients’ access to essential, innovative and life-saving treatments.

“The questions are short, but the stakes are high,” Bosse told committee members ahead of the votes.

She warned that the US administration’s most-favored-nation pricing policy and Section 301 investigation into Germany could undermine Europe’s public health model by discouraging pharmaceutical companies from launching medicines in European markets.

“Within 10 months, new medicine launches in Europe fell by 33%,” Bosse said, warning that patients in smaller, lower-priced member states face the greatest risks.

While acknowledging that medicine pricing and reimbursement remain national competences, Bosse urged closer cooperation between member states on joint clinical assessments, pricing, reimbursement and strengthening Europe’s attractiveness for pharmaceutical research, investment and clinical trials.

“We are 450 million people. Divided, we accept others' terms, but united we set the terms,” she said.

Both questions were adopted and could be presented by Bosse in plenary, subject to scheduling by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents.

“The clock is ticking. We must act before patients pay the price,” Bosse warned.