Cyprus still has a long way to go as regards patients’ access to innovative medicines according to recent research data published by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPIA) on this issue.
The study concerns patients’ access to innovative medicines in all European countries between 2017 and 2020.
According to a statement by the Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA), Cyprus ranks 23rd among 39 countries when it comes to availability of innovative medicines, with only 45 (28%) innovative medicines available out of a total of 160 approved for the period 2017-2020. The average among the 39 countries is 46% (74 innovative drugs).
Germany, it is noted, leads the way in terms of medicines availability, as it provides access to 147 of the 160 approved innovative drugs.
KEFEA said that just as worrying for Cypriot patients’ access to innovative medicines is the data on the time it takes for patients to access them, as well as the form of access. According to the survey, it said, of the 45 available innovative drugs in Cyprus, only 2% are available with full access, while 98% are subject to access restrictions.
This percentage is the worst performance among the 39 countries, it is noted, while Germany is once again in the lead, with 99% of innovative medicines available with full access within the healthcare system.
The example of Germany and other countries in the top spots should be a model and a targeted goal for Cyprus, it said, as the integration of innovative medicines in the domestic health system takes place almost immediately after obtaining the central European marketing authorisation for each preparation. According to the findings of the survey presented by EFPIA, the whole integration process takes only 133 days, it said.
Quoting data by Eurostat, KEFEA said Cyprus has considerable room for improvement in terms of the amount spent / invested in strengthening the health sector, as well as more targeted access to innovative medicines and vaccines. The percentage of GDP spent on the health sector in Cyprus in 2020 was 5.9%, while the European average was around 8%, it is pointed out. The corresponding percentage for 2019 in Cyprus was only 3.5%.
Regarding the pharmaceutical sector, in Cyprus, the cost for medicines and medical technology products, amounts to €332 per person, while the European average is €630 per person, it adds.
KEFEA said that, it can be concluded from the data, that, in the effort to facilitate patients’ access to innovative medicines, it is not enough to upgrade structures and procedures, but it is important that the competent authorities proceed with a redesign and redistribution of resources and investments, in order to ensure the availability of innovative drugs and vaccines within the system.
The group said it has shown all these years willingness for consultation and dialogue with the competent authorities, so that patients have full access to innovative drugs.
It is our belief, the announcement continues, that if the provisions of the legislation are observed and what we have agreed upon during our consultations with the authorities are implemented, the situation will significantly improve and patients will have access to their appropriate innovative treatments.
KEFEA said that pharmaceutical research and development companies are taking an important initiative at European level, with the main aim to drastically increase the availability of innovative medicines in the EU Member States and to reduce the waiting time for access to new treatments.
Source: Cyprus News Agency