Spanish pharmaceutical industry seeks regulatory agility to compete globally

At the 25th Spanish Pharmaceutical Industry Meeting in Santander, officials and industry leaders discussed the regulatory landscape and the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical sector.

Jacobo Fernández, technical general secretary of the Ministry of Health, indicated that the approval of the Royal Decree on Drug Financing and Pricing may be delayed to ensure coordination with the upcoming Medicines and Medical Devices Law. He noted that while both processes are moving forward, the Ministry may hold the decree to prevent contradictions with the new legislative framework.

Meanwhile, Fina Lladós, president of Farmaindustria, highlighted concerns regarding Europe's declining competitiveness compared to the United States and China. Industry representatives pointed out that Europe has generated fewer new molecules over the last five years than its global competitors. The sector is calling for reduced bureaucracy and faster decision-making processes to attract investment and ensure innovation remains a priority in Europe.