Global competitiveness in pharmaceuticals. A European perspective

Summary:

Pharmaceuticals is a large, high-growth, globalised, and innovation intensive industry. Its products – drugs – are directed to satisfy consumer needs in an area – health care – which is vital for society. Health care and therapeutics are among the most relevant issues in the definition of the concepts of welfare and democracy in the new Century. Thus, the pharmaceutical industry is clearly a “strategic” sector for Europe.

Ever since the XIX Century, pharmaceuticals has been a stronghold of the European industry, and it still provides by far the largest contribution to the European trade balance in high-technology, R&D intensive sectors. However, it is now a diffused perception that the European pharmaceutical industry is losing ground vis-à-vis the United States.

Against this background, the Report examines the competitive position of the European pharmaceutical companies and industries, and compares them with the pharmaceutical companies and industries in other parts of the world, particularly the US.

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