Lif launches campaign over Danish access to innovative medicine

Lif, the Danish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, has launched a nationwide campaign titled ‘Do you get the best medicine?’ to address concerns regarding Danish patients' access to new and innovative treatments.

According to Lif, while Denmark possesses a highly regarded healthcare system, patients do not always have access to the latest medical advancements, even when those treatments are approved within the European Union and utilized in other countries. Data indicates that Denmark currently has access to only 55 percent of new innovative medicines approved in the EU. In the field of oncology, 67 percent of new cancer medicines are available in Denmark, but only 32 percent are recommended as standard treatment, with another 30 percent requiring individual assessment.

Thomas Senderovitz, CEO of Lif, stated that the industry must address the consequences of healthcare prioritization. The campaign highlights that Medicinrådet (the Danish Medicines Council) has rejected 29 percent of all new medicines so far this year. For rare diseases, the rejection rate is notably higher, with 11 out of 16 treatments—approximately 69 percent—being denied.