Equitable Access to Medicine
As part of our 10-year anniversary special feature, Markus Kosch tells us his views on the future of pharma.
| Opinion
What we asked: “Looking ahead to the next 5–10 years, what will be the key disruptors and/or what can be improved upon in the pharma industry?”
Response from: Markus Kosch, Head of Oncology, Europe and Canada, Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH
“I firmly believe that one pivotal factor capable of revolutionizing our industry is equitable access. Working in oncology for over 30 years, I have learned that disparities in medical infrastructure and health coverage globally are vast and mean that not all cancer patients receive optimal care, which is reflected in varying survival rates. For instance, five-year survival rates for breast cancer post-diagnosis can be over 90 percent in high-income countries, but drop to 66 percent in India, and 40 percent in South Africa.
“Initiatives such as Europe‘s Beating Cancer Plan, launched by the European Commission, urgently outline the need for equity in cancer care and put forward an action plan. One way to address challenges is through education on prevention and risk and increasing screening numbers for early detection, especially in those areas and communities where numbers are low.
“Another issue that needs to be addressed is time to access. The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) recently published a study that highlighted the average time from approval to access varies significantly across Europe, ranging from 126 days in Germany to 804 days in neighbouring Poland. 804 days means over 2 years of waiting time, which is significant for cancer patients, especially those in later stages. We have to address this collectively by accelerating the approval process to keep up with scientific breakthroughs and reviewing the regulatory framework for personalized medicines.
“I see it as essential that everyone, no matter their socioeconomic status, where they live, or their demographic background, has equal access to our industry's products. This isn't just a moral duty; it's a strategic imperative to boost the effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare systems around the globe.”
Read over 100 other views on the future of the pharma industry on our special web page.
