Cancer is one of the most challenging health crises of our lifetime. Despite significant advancements, millions of people globally receive a cancer diagnosis each year.
Cancer survival rates have improved in Europe, and new treatments are offering hope to countless patients. Clear political prioritization, including through the launch of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, have enabled progress. Yet, we cannot afford to be complacent.
The recently updated Cancer Comparator report from the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) paints a sobering picture: although survival rates are improving, cancer incidence continues to rise, and it is set to become the most prevalent cause of death in Europe. Cancer causes nearly a quarter (23%) of all European deaths, yet receives just 7% of health spending. As cancer rates continue to rise, so too must overall healthcare spending to match the disease burden.
Cancer is a global challenge that demands a coordinated, pan-European response. And at the heart of that response must be a steadfast commitment to harnessing the power of innovation to transform cancer care
Across Europe, cancer mortality rates can vary by as much as 30% depending on where a patient lives, with a gap in per capita spending between the highest and lowest-spending countries of €250. This disparity is unacceptable. Cancer is a global challenge that demands a coordinated, pan-European response. And at the heart of that response must be a steadfast commitment to harnessing the power of innovation to transform cancer care.
At Pfizer, we are proud to be at the forefront of this effort. We have seen firsthand the transformative potential of breakthroughs like innovative treatments, precision diagnostics and AI-powered technologies. These innovations have the power to improve outcomes, enhance the efficiency of our healthcare systems, and ultimately, save lives.
But realizing this potential requires more than just scientific advancement. This is why we are advocating so passionately for the strengthening of national cancer control plans (NCCPs) across Europe. In Europe, only 15 out of 28 NCCPs mention funding. Instead, many simply state that funding is needed - but there is a lack of clarity on how funds are associated with priorities, which makes it challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of allocated resources to patients, the economy and society. Robust, fully-funded NCCPs are crucial for building on the progress we have made and ensuring that every European has access to the highest standard of cancer care.
At the same time, we must work to guarantee a European ecosystem that is attractive to invest in and deploy innovation. Sustainable healthcare requires bold policies and an environment that complements the direction of science and the needs of people living with cancer. Innovation in oncology treatments is an iterative, continuous process driven by step-changes that lays the groundwork for future potential breakthroughs. If we fail to recognize and appropriately reward these innovations that are transforming cancer care, we risk a further decline in biomedical research investment, fewer clinical trials, and a diminished willingness to invest in the region compared to other parts of the world. Scaling and adopting novel oncology innovation requires a fundamental shift in fiscal policy: away from setting health budgets based on austerity and cost containment, and towards targeting policy and investment in health as a direct means of fostering greater growth, competitiveness and better outcomes for citizens.
The good news is that the foundations are already in place. The EU's Beating Cancer Plan has galvanized action across multiple fronts. Upcoming initiatives like the Strategy for European Life Sciences and the EU Biotech Act offer an opportunity to further strengthen the biopharma ecosystem and bring down administrative barriers. But we must be vigilant not to undermine this progress with measures that make it harder for innovative companies to justify investing in Europe. Legislative initiatives such at the EU Pharma Package and the Critical Medicines Alliance must maintain a positive operating environment for innovative biopharmaceutical companies so that they can continue delivering innovative therapies for patients.
As we look to the future, I am confident that by unlocking the potential of innovation, we can create a more sustainable, equitable cancer care system - one that delivers better outcomes for patients, reduces the burden on healthcare systems, and solidifies Europe's position as a global leader in oncology. But to get there, we must ensure that innovation continues to be appropriately valued and rewarded, and that EU institutions and Member States are prepared to provide the necessary funding to match the growing cancer burden.
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