Belgian pharma body warns cuts threaten access to innovation

Belgium’s drug industry association has warned that repeated budget cuts are restricting patient access to new medicines and could erode the country’s position as a global biopharma hub. In a blog post, pharma.be chief executive Caroline Ven said fewer innovative therapies are being reimbursed and patients face longer waits.

Ms Ven noted that Belgium has benefited from close ties between companies, universities and hospitals, but stressed that research investment depends on markets valuing innovation properly. With the USA moving to curb higher drug prices, Europe can no longer rely on American spending to subsidize its own discounts. She warned Belgium risks following the UK, where weak returns have led firms to scale back operations.

The country’s biopharma sector remains a heavyweight, contributing roughly 79 billion euros ($93 billion) in exports last year, about 15% of national exports. Belgium also invests around 15.5 million euros daily in R&D, making it the EU leader in research spending per capita. Still, industry employment dipped slightly in 2023, a sign of emerging pressure.