The time it takes for patients to access new medicines in different EU Member States varies significantly across the region. For patients, clinicians and health systems, this situation is untenable.

Over recent years, EFPIA has documented the drivers behind these delays. An analysis by Charles River Associates (CRA), concluded that there are 10 inter-related factors that cause barriers and delays in patients getting access to new medicines.

We believe that faster, more equitable access in Europe is an achievable goal. It requires a shared understanding of the barriers to access, and a commitment from industry, the EU and Member States to work together to make real change.

This is why last year, the innovative pharmaceutical industry made a commitment to file for pricing and reimbursement in all EU countries as soon as possible and no later than 2 years from the central EU market authorisation, provided that local systems allow it.

The European Access Portal aims to increase visibility on the root causes of unavailability of innovative medicines in Europe. One year into the commitment, on 28 April 2023, you can join an event hosted by EFPIA to discover the preliminary results from the Portal and discuss how we can work together to help reduce patient access inequalities.

On the same day, EFPIA will publish the 2022 WAIT indicator survey and an updated CRA report on the root causes of unavailability and delay to innovative medicines in Europe.