European pharmaceutical access faces delays amid global competition

Data from the EFPIA Patients W.A.I.T. Indicator reveals that delays between the European authorization of new medicines and their actual availability to patients are not decreasing. For 168 medicines authorized between 2021 and 2024, significant time gaps persist, with notable regional bottlenecks observed in Italy as the country awaits new policies regarding early access.

These delays impact both patient care and market competitiveness. While the United States accounted for 74.1% of global sales for new active ingredients launched between 2020 and 2024, Europe held only 15.6%. Additionally, China is accelerating its regulatory and launch capabilities, potentially surpassing the EU in the number of medicines authorized by the FDA and subsequently launched.