The challenges of access to innovative medicines with limited evidence in the European Union

Abstract

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) fosters access to innovative medicines through accelerated procedures and flexibility in the authorization requirements for diseases with unmet medical needs, such as many rare diseases as well as oncological diseases. However, the resulting increase of medicines being marketed with conditional authorizations and in exceptional circumstances has lead to higher clinical uncertainty about their efficacy and safety than when the standard authorizations are applied. This uncertainty has significant implications for clinical practice and the negotiation of pricing and reimbursement, particularly as high prices are based on assumptions of high value, supported by regulatory prioritization. The burden of clinical development is often shifted towards public healthcare systems, resulting in increased spending budgets and opportunity costs. Effective management of uncertainty, through appropriate testing and evaluation, and fair reflection of costs and risks in prices, is crucial. However, it is important not to sacrifice essential elements of evidence-based healthcare for the sake of access to new treatments. Balancing sensitive and rational access to new treatments, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and affordability to healthcare systems requires thoughtful decision-making. Ultimately, a responsible approach to timely access to innovative medicines that balances the needs of patients with healthcare systems' concerns is necessary. This approach emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making and fair pricing and reimbursement.

Keywords: European Union; antineoplastic agents; drug approval; drug costs; orphan drug.

FIGURE 1

Number of orphan drugs and advanced therapies authorized by CHMP to treat diseases in different therapeutic areas, 2016–2021.

FIGURE 2

Number of accelerated assessments, conditional and exceptional marketing authorisations, and PRIME designations for medicines with positive opinion from the CHMP for treating diseases in different therapeutic areas, 2015–2021.