Filenews 14 December 2021
The Health Technology Assessment Regulation is the first result of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe and ensures a stronger European Health Union, said Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, speaking before the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg.
Mrs. Kyriakides pointed out, among other things, that the adoption of the regulation was long overdue and that the regulation was made after years of hard work by experts across the EU, adding that it provides a comprehensive and sustainable legal framework to take a long-awaited step forward. It underlined that it will have tangible benefits for citizens, Member States and health systems.
As stated by Mrs Kyriakides, the regulation will allow for high-quality joint clinical assessments of innovative medicines and certain medical devices at EU level. She also said it would ensure transparency in the health technology assessment process and increase predictability for Member State authorities and industry.
It also highlighted how it would help Member States to make more timely and evidence-based decisions on patients' access to innovative technologies within health systems.
"More than ever, the current pandemic has underlined the need for enhanced cooperation between member states – and this regulation reflects and responds to this need," she stressed. Adding that "it is another important step towards a stronger European Health Union".
Finally, she said that "with this regulation we are providing health experts, producers and especially patients with a new framework that will help us address unmet medical needs and facilitate access to innovative medicines and medical devices".
