The benefits of the EHDS are unrivalled and progress is being made towards its implementation. However, ensuring that its necessary components are in place will also be crucial. The question now centres around bolstering sufficient infrastructure, in tandem with both the public and private sectors, to ensure the highest levels of access, privacy and operability. Going a step further, this year EHS will be exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate patient centricity in Europe.

For R&D to flourish and engender scientific breakthroughs, a conducive environment is needed. Some countries are beginning to create ecosystems for healthcare innovation, creating essential links between the scientific community, big tech, governments, and the public-private sectors. This will allow them to develop and operationalise new treatments in record time. How can the EU keep up with other regions and what steps are needed for a coordinated response?

With a global population that is both growing and ageing, health systems will come under increased pressure. By considering a wider set of contributory factors for healthcare such as healthy nutrition, sustainable food, environmental, agricultural, fisheries and climate policies, we can foster resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic, other disease outbreaks and their societal and economic costs highlight the urgency of applying a One Health approach across all sectors.

Europe has all the ingredients to drive innovation. It is very attractive for biopharmaceuticals, and has a highly skilled workforce, as well as promising drugs and treatments, especially in the field of rare diseases. However, the pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our supply chains and the need to make them more resilient. Among other concerns, there is a need to reform the healthcare sector to optimise budgets and sustainability. We need real data to highlight drug efficacy and increase population and market access. Ensuring that we have the right environment for innovation, supported by strong industrial policy, is critical to continue to foster investment in Europe.

At the core of Europe’s pharmaceutical legislative reform lies a steadfast commitment to enhancing and expediting patient access to vital healthcare solutions. This unwavering dedication hinges on the level of investment in innovation across the region, encompassing various aspects such as the management of clinical trials and primary/raw data, addressing unmet medical needs, optimizing manufacturing processes for greater efficiency, and establishing a globally competitive regulatory framework coupled with prudent monitoring of supply chains.