Bayer boss wants more backing for innovators

Bayer’s (BAYN: DE) outgoing chief executive Marijn Dekkers has made an impassioned plea to governments in Europe to start taking serious measures to encourage innovation.

Speaking to The Pharma Letter at the German group’s annual press conference in Leverkusen, Dr Dekkers said “my blood pressure goes up a little bit” when it comes to the issue of innovation and highlighted the problems in Germany that companies have in getting a fair price. He gave the hypothetical example of a new drug that costs 10 euros a week but after 10 years, as the patent runs out, it costs 2 euros.

Dr Dekkers then said that a new drug comes along that it is 50% better. The latter’s price should be determined by comparing it to the 10 euro figure and should cost 15 euros but under the AMNOG system in Germany, the comparison is with the generic price, so the price for the new drug would be just 3 euros.