Spain's generic drug push and Horizon Scanning forecast aim to sustain health system

Spain's health ministry report highlights generic medicines as a strategic infrastructure that expands patient access, reduces costs and frees resources for future innovation. The report notes that generic versions of drugs for prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and multiple sclerosis now dominate hospital use, and that the introduction of a generic direct oral anticoagulant allowed treatment of an additional 56,981 patients, generated 3,171 life‑years and saved more than €74 million for the National Health System.

Farmaindustria has launched a Horizon Scanning tool to anticipate upcoming medicines and support planning. The first edition analyses 172 therapies in various regulatory stages, including 47 active ingredients under EMA review—38% of them orphan drugs, with oncology the most common area. About 28% are biologics and 6% are advanced therapies. The scan also follows 92 medicines in the EMA's Prime programme, where 47% are advanced therapies. By identifying these innovations early, the tool aims to help the Spanish health system allocate resources, develop diagnostic capacity and organise care pathways, reducing uncertainty and improving the sustainability of drug adoption.