Padilla has expressed this on Thursday, coinciding with the end of the deadline for submissions of the draft. «I believe there is a shared willingness among all of us who have something to say in this regard,» he said during his participation in the conference ‘Generic Medications in Spain: Social Value and Contribution to Healthcare Strategic Autonomy’ organized by the Alternativas Foundation and the Spanish Association of Generic Medicines.
«We are at a moment where the possibility of acting throughout the entire life cycle of a medication allows us to create certain balances so that no one feels like they are losing more than gaining,» he added.
Additionally, through a video, the Minister of Health, Mónica García, stated that the generic sector is «crucial» for the National Health System (NHS) as it represents an «economic engine» in the pharmaceutical industry and a «key modulator» of medication prices.
«Furthermore, it is an essential tool to ensure equitable access. By operating with high volumes, generics make it possible to have medications at a lower cost, which not only improves access but also decisively contributes to the sustainability of our NHS,» she pointed out.
García also emphasized that these medications strengthen strategic autonomy and production capabilities in Spain, «something particularly relevant in healthcare emergency contexts, as was demonstrated during the pandemic.»
For all these reasons, García assured that the Ministry is committed to the new medication law to «facilitate a more agile entry of generic medications into the market, promoting an environment that allows for greater implementation.»
«We want to promote healthy competition that benefits not only producers but above all strengthens access and equity in our healthcare system. From the Ministry of Health, we will continue working hand in hand with the sector to guarantee access to medications,» the minister concluded.
AESEG MAINTAINS ITS PROPOSAL TO ENSURE DYNAMISM
On the other hand, the president of the Spanish Association of Generic Medicines (AESEG), Mar Fábregas, indicated that the organization does not agree with Article 116 of the draft Law on Medicines and Healthcare Products concerning selected prices, as in their opinion, it «does not provide predictability to companies, neither in price nor in volume,» making it «very difficult» to make medium and long-term investments.
In this regard, Fábregas reiterated that AESEG advocates for an alternative through a system that can «provide predictability without giving up sustainability goals,» but that «guarantees dynamism in quotas and medication prices.»
According to Fábregas, this proposed system would act on the part of the generic market that has been «stagnant for years,» as it would allow for prices to be reviewed as quotas increase.
However, the president of AESEG believes that this new law is an «opportunity to reposition generics.» «We need a law that provides solutions for patients, industry, and the country. Some of our demands have been heard by the Ministry of Health, and we also share much of the law’s diagnosis,» she added.
IMPORTANCE OF GENERIC MEDICATIONS
Fábregas also highlighted the strategic value of the generic pharmaceutical industry for the sustainability of the healthcare system and the national economy. She emphasized that despite Spain being the second country in Europe with the most generic manufacturing plants (21 in total), its utilization level is below the European average.
Additionally, Fábregas stated that generic medications, over their 27-year trajectory in Spain, have proven to be «a fundamental tool to reduce public spending, expand patient access to treatments, free up resources for healthcare innovation, and ensure the continuity of essential medication supply.»
She also pointed out the current challenges facing the sector, such as stagnant quotas, rising production and regulation costs, and the lack of specific boosting measures.
On his part, during his speech, the president of Cinfa, Enrique Ordieres, also highlighted the role of generic medication as a strategic industrial sector for Spain and Europe. He mentioned that 70% of generics consumed in the NHS are manufactured domestically, with 21 production plants creating over 40,000 jobs, both direct and indirect.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening national industrial capacity to ensure a stable supply of medications, mitigate external dependency, and reinforce healthcare strategic autonomy.