EuropaBio hosts high-level event at BIO

Better science, better regulation and better access policies for the biopharmaceutical industry are needed in the European Union to deliver  state-of-the-art standards of prevention, treatment and cures to the  region's citizens. This was the plea to policy makers by the EuropaBio,  which represents biotechnology firms, during a session at the BIO  Convention in Atlanta, USA, entitled Europe: The Changing Dynamics of  the Public Health Environment.

The EuropaBio was able to secure the participation of Thomas Lonngren,  Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), Giulia Del  Brenna, Head of Unit, competitiveness in the pharmaceuticals industry  and biotechnology at the European Commission, Directorate General  Enterprise and Industry and Francois Meyer, Head of health technology  assessment at France's Haute Authorite de Sante and member of the  EUnetHTA network, to discuss ways of improving the EU decision-making  process. This would allow direct involvement for stakeholders, as well  as increased public consultation and more co-decision between  institutional actors.

"In the weeks to come, the EU will welcome a new European Parliament and  a new European Commission. We are calling on them to ensure that there  will be even stronger dialog between policy-makers, regulators, HTA  bodies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that patients' interests are  at the heart of every health care policy and legislation in Europe,"  said Andrea Rappagliosi, chairman of the health care council at the  EuropaBio. He added: "to secure timely and equal public access to safe,  high quality and efficient bio-pharmaceutical products, we urge the  setting up of coordinated political and regulatory measures in health  care, from prevention to treatment. This will ensure that patients and  citizens receive the most innovative health care solutions available,  and that payers secure value for the investments they make."