Commission calls for stronger scientific base for EU pharmaceutical industry
The European Commission has adopted a communication calling for the strengthening of the EU's scientific base with the objective of enhancing the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry. Based on a report from the G10 high-level group on innovation and the provision of medicines, the communication tackles a number of weaknesses in the EU pharmaceutical industry. In the area of research and development (R&D), it notes that Europe's ability to compete with the US is hindered by the fragmented nature of its research systems. In an attempt to redress the situation, the communication proposes a number of actions, the most notable being the establishment of virtual institutes of health. The objective of these institutes would be to stimulate and organise health and biotechnology research in Europe by bringing together researchers with common interests and goals from universities, hospitals and research centres throughout Europe. According to the communication, these institutes could be linked to other research initiatives under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The communication also refers to the possibility of setting up a European centre for disease prevention and control, aimed at creating a stronger science base for public health in Europe in collaboration with national public health centres in Member States. In doing so, the centre could support and assist clinical research in Europe by consolidating the burden of disease control and prevention across the Union. Another area of focus is the provision of incentives for R&D activities targeting major communicable disease prevalent in developing countries. The communication proposes further examination of incentives such as venture capital; low cost loans; tax credit; guaranteed markets; the extension of patent rights; and market exclusivity as a means to encourage investment in neglected diseases. In addition to these incentives, the communication also calls for the adaptation of the existing regulatory framework on clinical trials so that it facilitates trials for orphan medicines and medicines with paediatric applications.