From local action to global leadership: Ireland’s EU Presidency is an opportunity to reclaim European competitiveness
:quality(90)/)
The life sciences and pharmaceutical industry is an essential pillar of European healthcare, helping to advance patient access and health outcomes. Yet, Europe's pharmaceutical competitiveness is declining due to declining share of global R&D, clinical trials and slower access to new, innovative medicines.
Recent findings from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) revealed the U.S. is now attracting more than double the R&D investment compared to Europe, while the European Economic Area's share of commercial clinical trials has declined from 22% to 12% in just ten years. This gap translates to real consequences, with 60,000 fewer patients accessing trial places while China's share has doubled. Patient access to innovative medicines also remains slower and more unequal across Europe compared to other high-income regions, like the United States.
As a global life sciences hub, Ireland has demonstrated a credible pathway forward. The recent IPHA Framework Agreement between the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the HSE represents transformative progress – committing to meet the legal 180-day timeline for approving new medicines, a significant improvement over the previous delays exceeding 600 days.
The development and implementation of a National Life Science Strategy will also build on this foundation, positioning Ireland as a model for innovative healthcare systems. At Roche Ireland, we are advocating for a Strategy that creates a cohesive, cross-departmental framework that fosters innovation, increases clinical trials, and accelerates patient access to new treatments.
Together, through local actions like the National Life Science Strategy and the IPHA Agreement, Ireland can lead the way in reclaiming Europe's position as a global pharmaceutical innovator. Ireland's EU Presidency provides a moment to champion policies that ensure patients across Europe have equitable access to breakthrough medicines and the treatments they deserve.
Read our full contribution to the Life Science Innovation report here.
Date of prep: April 2026 / M-IE-00002406