Drug pricing policies in the United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, have been implemented to align with the lowest prices among developed countries. This policy could particularly have negative consequences for European patients, as pharmaceutical companies may delay the supply of drugs in lower-priced countries to avoid price reductions in the United States.
Research and Findings
A new study published in The Lancet medical journal shows that for three-quarters of the 195 patented drugs examined, price reductions in the United States could lead to financial losses greater than the annual sales of these drugs in reference countries. According to researchers, this situation may compel pharmaceutical companies to delay the supply of drugs in lower-priced countries.
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Impact on European Patients
Patients in Europe may have to wait longer to receive new medications due to U.S. policies. For example, a representative from the European Patients' Association stated that if pharmaceutical companies delay the supply of drugs in Europe due to pricing in the U.S., it could significantly impact the health and quality of life of patients. Delays in access to medications for those living with serious or advanced conditions will have serious consequences.
Impact on the European Drug Market
In recent months, Europe has seen a decrease in the number of drug supplies. Following Trump's executive order, the number of drug supplies in EU markets has decreased by about 35% compared to the same period last year. Although the direct connection between this decrease and U.S. policies is not yet clear, several drugs have exited the market due to these policies.
In this context, experts believe that European countries must be willing to incur higher costs to secure new medications. One prominent official in this regard, Alexander Natz, head of the biotechnology entrepreneurs' lobby, emphasized that to prevent delays in drug supply, European countries need to pay more attention to internal discussions about healthcare costs.
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