Cypriot and European officials address pharmaceutical access delays

On Friday in Nicosia, Cypriot and European officials discussed the significant delays in patient access to new medications at a conference titled “Unlocking the potential of Europe’s life sciences”. Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michalis Damianos reported that patients in Cyprus wait over 500 days for new treatments. Data presented showed that the EU's share of global clinical trials has fallen to 12%, compared to 30% in China. The average time for new medicines to reach European patients is approximately 24 months, whereas in the United States, it is only four months. To address these issues, Minister Damianos proposed four policy priorities: increasing research and development incentives, modernizing the regulatory framework, ensuring equitable access for all member states, and accelerating digital transformation in healthcare. Officials warned that these delays undermine European pharmaceutical competitiveness and global investment.