But when talking about competitiveness, we should not just talk about the pharma industry and innovation, but also about the supply chain of generics, he said. To Auer, there is a lack of “political clout” in the generics industry, rendering it unable to make as much noise as Big Pharma.
Let’s go over the mission letters (again): Over the past months, we’ve heard several people sound the alarm over the declining importance given to health on the EU stage — case in point, the questionable pick of health commissioner, Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s mission letter for the role highlights several responsibilities, from tackling shortages and proposing a Critical Medicines Act to revising the tobacco legislation and working on an EU Biotech Act.
Others are scattered among other commissioners, such as the executive vice-president for prosperity and industrial strategy and the executive vice president for people, skills and preparedness.
Not enough: But the goals for health don’t go far enough, Auer said. “There are mission letters which highlight the known, the necessities, which are already on the plate,” he said. “But they are not diving into the imaginable things. And when it comes to non-communicable diseases, we have to dive into the imaginable things and we have to tackle the commercial determinants.”
Any words on the health commissioner pick? Being a health expert is not strictly necessary for whoever steps into the role, he said, “but you should have had a little bit of exposure in social affairs or in health affairs when you take on such a task.” Ideally, it should be “a person who burns for health and has a record that he or she burned for health in the earlier stages of the career.” Does Várhelyi burn for health?
Attending Gastein? Come and find us. Claudia, Mari and Helen will be there to follow what’s happening on the ground, so get in touch, let’s grab a coffee, tell us what’s new … or share the scoop of the year!