Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000468/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE)
The Draghi report highlights a growing competitiveness gap in the EU pharmaceutical sector, despite its global leadership in trade by value. While US-based companies continue to expand their market share, the EU is losing ground, particularly in the most dynamic segments.
In 2022, only two of the ten best-selling biological medicines in Europe were marketed by EU companies, while six were from US-based firms. The EU also lags behind in market-exclusive products such as orphan medicines and advanced therapy medicinal products, areas that are crucial for future healthcare advancements.
A key factor behind this trend is significantly lower investment in research and innovation. Public research and innovation spending on pharmaceuticals in the EU is less than half that of the United States, while private-sector investment is only about a quarter of US levels. This funding gap is limiting Europe’s ability to compete in high-value pharmaceutical innovation and commercialise breakthrough therapies.
What measures does the Commission plan to implement to enhance investment in pharmaceutical research and innovation and ensure that the EU remains globally competitive in this critical sector?
Submitted: 3.2.2025