Athens backs delinked pricing for EU medicines access

Athens has expressed its support for the 'delinked option' in the ongoing negotiations to revise the EU's pharmaceutical legislation, as articulated by Aris Angelis, Secretary General for Strategic Planning of the Greek health ministry. This option aims to establish a regulatory obligation for pharmaceutical companies to ensure the availability of their products across all EU member states, addressing disparities in access to innovative medicines. The Greek government emphasizes the need for a predictable and accountable framework that guarantees equitable access, particularly for smaller countries like Greece. During a recent EPSCO meeting, Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis reiterated the importance of maintaining an eight-year regulatory data protection period, with an additional two years of market protection, totaling a maximum of 11 years. The Greek government believes that the delinked option will enhance predictability and accountability by removing reliance on market incentives, which can be inconsistent and insufficient. Furthermore, Athens advocates for a rigorous definition of High Unmet Medical Needs, which should be based on objective and quantifiable criteria. This definition is crucial for ensuring that resources are directed towards addressing significant health challenges and fostering innovation in areas where it is most needed. The Greek health ministry also supports the idea of comparative clinical trials as a common obligation, while acknowledging that exceptions may be necessary under specific circumstances. Overall, Greece's position reflects a commitment to ensuring that innovative treatments are accessible to all EU citizens, regardless of their location, thereby promoting health equity across the region.