Las farmacéuticas piden menos regulación y plazos para competir con EEUU y China

European pharmaceutical companies are calling for less regulation and faster timelines to compete with the United States and China. At the XXV Spanish Pharmaceutical Industry Encounter, held in Santander by patronal Farmaindustria, the industry argued that the loss of competitiveness is due to excessive bureaucracy and prolonged approval processes that delay drug availability to patients.

While Europe remains a powerhouse in clinical trials, it is losing ground in innovation and attracting investments. Over the past five years, Europe has generated 87 new molecules, compared to 133 in China and 140 in the United States. The Trump administration's "America First" policy has attracted investments from nearly 20 pharmaceutical companies into Europe, prompting industry leaders to call for a more agile and responsive regulatory environment.

Fina Lladrós, Farmaindustria's president, emphasized the need to take advantage of opportunities such as legislative changes and faster decision-making. She stressed that Europe must have a clear vision for protecting innovation, as failing to do so would mean losing an important opportunity. Industry representatives also highlighted the importance of a predictable regulatory environment and fiscal incentives to encourage investment and innovation, especially in light of the complex global supply chain and increasingly stringent international regulations.