To improve the healthcare system, investments are needed that will bring progress and development
- In July, Denmark took over the EU Council Presidency from Poland.
- This is an opportunity to reflect on how we, as the EU, treat health in the face of demographic changes, the increase in the number of chronically ill patients and growing geopolitical uncertainty - write representatives of Roche Polska and Roche Denmark
- It is also an opportunity for investment – not only to secure healthcare systems from threats, but also to increase Europe's competitiveness and fully exploit the potential of health as a driver of innovation and sustainable development.
Poland and Denmark differ in both healthcare spending and the efficiency of their healthcare systems. However , structurally, the two countries are similar: both rely on publicly funded systems, both emphasize primary care, and both face increasing pressure to ensure equal access to innovative healthcare.
Although Poland and Denmark have excellent clinical trial centers, in neither country has their potential fully translated into early or equitable access to innovative therapies. According to the EFPIA WAIT 2024 index, 60% of centrally approved drugs are available in Denmark and 39% in Poland. The European average is 46%.
At the same time, the gap between Europe and the United States in healthcare innovation is widening. Between 2018 and 2023, the United States accounted for 67.1% of global sales of newly introduced drugs, compared to just 15.8% in the five largest European markets. The reasons for this are structural: faster regulatory approval processes, clearer paths to market, and a consistent emphasis on ensuring early access for patients. In Europe, however, the focus on cost containment and regulation has meant that the long-term value of health investments has receded into the background.
Denmark and Poland are European leaders in clinical trials. In 2023, Poland conducted 29% of Roche's global clinical trials, with total investment in innovation reaching PLN 1.67 billion (of which PLN 123 million was spent on clinical trials). Denmark's Trial Nation remains a global leader, offering a data-rich and patient-focused research infrastructure.
Clinical trials are not just about scientific advancement. They are a powerful lever for faster access, healthcare system efficiency, and economic growth. Well-designed clinical trials enable earlier access to innovative therapies, strengthen the resources of medical institutions, and are a key factor in attracting sustainable investment in the healthcare sector.
For Europe to close the innovation gap with global competitors, it is necessary not only to support clinical research, but also to integrate it directly into the policy on access to medicines and their production.
Health is still too often perceived as an expense. However, the data is clear: strong economies are built on healthy and productive populations. Medical innovations play a crucial role in achieving this goal, yet their full value is rarely reflected in the tools governments use to set budgets and allocate resources.
The economic benefits of investing in health—such as increased labor force participation, reduced caregiver burden, and long-term savings—are not accounted for in the financial models that inform policymaking. As a result , improved health outcomes for citizens are too often overlooked in economic calculations , and public health investments are marginalized in policy models that primarily link future economic growth to tax cuts, treating health spending as a budgetary burden.
To change this, we need to change the approach to measuring the health outcomes of innovations. A healthy life and well-treated patient mean not only a better quality of life but also a social return on investment. Therefore, Roche has entered into a global collaboration with economists from the Wifor Institute to better document the social value of innovations and demonstrate that it is possible to use economic models and theories to demonstrate the positive effects of investing in better health outcomes.
One example is multiple sclerosis (MS) . In Denmark, which has the highest incidence of MS in the world, early treatment contributed an additional €46 million to GDP between 2019 and 2023, mainly through improved labor market participation.
These are not just health benefits. They also include benefits in terms of productivity, taxes, the quality of life of patients and their families, and the efficiency of healthcare systems.
The priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union reflected a strong commitment to strengthening healthcare systems across Europe. By focusing on children's and adolescents' mental health, the digital transformation of healthcare, disease prevention, and pharmaceutical safety , Poland laid the foundation for a sustained dialogue on health at the EU level. These goals provide a crucial starting point for a broader discussion on ensuring comprehensive and equitable healthcare. Recognizing the value of medical innovation and its crucial role in shaping a healthier society for the future is also crucial.
As the next country to hold the Presidency, Denmark can build on these priorities by continuing to work towards sustainable, integrated and innovative healthcare solutions across the EU.
The EU Presidency provides an opportunity to pursue a joint health investment strategy. Several aspects are worth drawing the attention of EU institutions and Member States:
- Integrating the societal value of innovation into health spending decisions. Aim for a unified EU strategy that attracts investment, fairly evaluates and rewards innovation, and ensures a fair contribution from Member States based on their economic and epidemiological profiles.
- Streamlining clinical trial regulations – simplifying CTIS, reducing bureaucracy and accelerating the approval process.
- Supporting and further developing public-private partnerships such as Trial Nation in Denmark and the Warsaw Health Innovation Hub in Poland.
- Develop an EU-wide life sciences strategy that integrates innovation, access, and competitiveness into a coherent whole. Create a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
- Strengthening intellectual property protection, which is key to stimulating innovation and attracting investment in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in Europe.
By taking a holistic, long-term approach to health technologies, Member States can ensure long-term benefits for patients and healthcare systems. This vision fosters a dynamic, innovation-friendly ecosystem that supports biotechnology development and improves public health outcomes.
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