EFPIA calls for fast implementation of life sciences strategy to protect EU trials sector

Europe’s clinical trial ecosystem is in a perilous situation, according to a pharma industry group calling on policy makers to implement the life science strategy announced earlier this month.

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations (EFPIA) issued the warning last week, citing data that shows there are 60,000 fewer clinical trial places available for Europeans this year than in 2013.

According to EFPIA director general Nathalie Moll, the life science’s strategy is needed to make the EU more attractive for trials.

“Turning these proposals into concrete actions is what really matters for patients in Europe as the number of clinical trial opportunities continue to fall rapidly. Policy makers need to work closely with partners to bring meaningful reform and a stronger clinical trial ecosystem in Europe,” she said.

EFPIA’s contention is that many industry-sponsored trials have moved to the US and China in recent years due to better patient access, supportive policies, and less red tape, meaning trials are easier to facilitate.

To support this claim, the organization cited a survey of sponsors, investigators, and professional societies in which respondents stressed the need for better regulatory alignment between member states as critical.

“Fragmented implementation of the Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) has added barriers for clinical studies, and inconsistent assessments and complex requirements continue to delay trial launches and increase administrative burden,” the authors wrote.

The EFPIA added that, while proposals in the strategy will facilitate the conduct of multi-country trials in Europe, they are concerned implementation will not be swift enough to mitigate the threat of studies leaving Europe for other regions of the world.

When the European Commission launched the life sciences strategy earlier this month it said the aim is to make Europe “the most attractive place in the world for life sciences by 2030.”

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