Towards a Collaborative European Approach: Industry perspectives on access, innovation and coordination
Joint statement from innovative pharmaceutical industry associations in the BeNeLuxA countries
The national trade associations (NTAs) representing the innovative medicines sector in the BeNeLuxA countries, regard the BeNeLuxA statement as a basis for further engagement in constructive dialogue on access and affordability of medicines in Europe[1].
We recognise the increasing necessity of closer alignment in Europe in light of the geopolitical developments affecting pharmaceutical markets, patient access and Europe’s competitiveness. We share the ambition to ensure timely and sustainable access to innovative medicines for patients, while safeguarding a predictable and attractive environment for research, development and manufacturing in Europe.
In this context, stakeholder engagement is critical to ensure that policy proposals are sufficiently ambitious as well as feasible. The direction outlined in the BeNeLuxA statement provides a useful starting point, but requires further elaboration to create a shared understanding on how these ambitions will be realised.
Opportunities for Europe
The emphasis in the statement regarding collaboration and coordination within a European framework raises questions on how this could be shaped and work in practice. A key question is whether such coordination can complement or replace existing national competences in pricing and reimbursement. If so, how this improves assessment methodologies and accelerates the decision-making process.
Further clarity on the governance and scope of the proposed coordination requires a well-informed dialogue. In particular, regarding the positions of the governments involved, its relation to the broader EU-level discussions and emerging initiatives among other Member States.
As mentioned in the statement, further streamlining of European and national procedures need to be explored. A collaboration between the NTA’s and the BeNeLuXa countries would be valuable to realise the ambition of faster and consistent access pathways for patients, while avoiding additional layers of complexity.
Europe’s position and competitiveness
We also see merit in exploring how more coordination and collaboration in Europe can strengthen its position in a changing global context, including on how to effectively respond to external pricing pressures whilst maintaining a strong environment for innovative medicines.
Future policy proposals should increase Europe’s attractiveness for research and development, contribute to timely availability and avoid unintended delays. Compliance with the Transparency Directive’s requirement for pricing and reimbursement decisions to be made within 180 days of public paying agencies’ time should be the minimum standard. Reimbursement processes, including EU HTA and any non-statutory collaborations, should work within this timeline, not add to it. This will give confidence both to patients and to companies that BeNeluxA countries are open to, and keen to see, new medicines coming forward in our health services.
This is an important moment to deepen the discussion on how Europe can strengthen its pharmaceutical ecosystem in a coherent and forward-looking manner. Alongside pricing and reimbursement, this includes the conditions for investment in innovation, the resilience of manufacturing and supply, and the broader framework needed to increase Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
The innovative pharmaceutical industry associations of the BeNeLuxA countries are willing to contribute to this process in a constructive manner. We welcome opening a dialogue to jointly develop practical solutions to support patient access and Europe’s competitiveness.[2]
[1] https://beneluxa.org/statements#toc-10-june-2026-statement-of-the-beneluxa-initiative-on-a-more-unified-european-approach-to-access-to-and-affordability-of-pharmaceutical-products
[2] https://efpia.eu/media/zkhfr3kp/10-actions-for-competitiveness-growth-and-security.pdf
Joint statement from innovative pharmaceutical industry associations in the BeNeLuxA countries
