Anti-Competitive Strategies Hamper Access to Medicines in Europe

An unprecedented number of Europeans are living longer. In the next decade, most 'baby boomers' will retire from the workforce. Meanwhile, the birth rate in Europe continues to fall and, as a result, there will be fewer people to contribute to social security systems, jeopardising the financial support base for our health insurance. Seniority brings new health challenges, often in the form of age-related and/or chronic diseases, requiring long-term medical interventions. European governments are eyeing their pharmaceutical expenditure to cut costs, while expensive brand or originator medicines compound health care bills. Some patients and consumers, particularly those in Eastern Europe, pay out-of-pocket expenses for the medicines they are prescribed. This disparity raises questions about equitable access across the European Union. Because of their integral importance to our health and wellbeing, essential medicines need to be affordable and accessible for all European consumers in spite of cuts to social services and health budgets. This article examines how governments could guarantee access to high quality, safe and effective medicines in the face of Europe's aging population, changing health needs and rising pharmaceutical expenses.