Belgium's R&D pharma sector "can help recovery"

Belgium's research-based pharmaceutical sector could play a key role in the economic recovery according to the pharma.be, which represents the  sector. "Medicines bring in more revenue than they cost to Belgium," the  group says.

The drug budget for 2008 and estimates for 2009 indicate that spending  is under control, the pharma.be states. It therefore calls for a "new  deal" of government subsidy to the pharmaceutical sector to stimulate  economic growth. The long-term plan outlined by the drugmakers'  organization is for:

- a similar growth rate in health care spending to be budgeted for as is  the case for other items of expenditure (eg, wages and hospital costs);