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Did you know that the price of a pill and the waiting time for a prescription vary in all EU countries?
This week on The Ring, our weekly debating show, we zoomed in on the important topic and the growing struggles in Europe’s pharmaceutical landscape. Broadcasting from Euronews Health Summit in the centre of Brussels, we looked at how the EU can get the balance right between public health priorities and industry competitiveness. MEPs Tilly Metz from The Greens/European Free Alliance and Stine Bosse from the liberal Renew Europe group joined The Ring.
Tilly Metz underscored a key concern, noting that “the private sector’s objectives are not necessarily aligned with public health needs.” Her remarks highlight fears that profit-driven models may not always serve broader societal interests, especially when it comes to access to medicines and long-term health outcomes.
On the other side of the coin, Stine Bosse stressed the importance of maintaining a strong pharma industry in Europe. She cautioned that losing ground in this sector could mirror Europe’s decline in the digital industry, asking whether the continent risks looking back in a decade and seeing pharmaceuticals as “history.”
The discussion reflects a broader challenge. How can Europe reconcile economic competitiveness with public welfare in a rapidly shifting global landscape dominated by the US and China?
This episode of The Ring is anchored by Méabh Mc Mahon, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
Watch The Ring on Euronews TV or in the player above and send us your views by writing to thering@euronews.com
