BRIEF—Belgian industry urges new pharma pact

The trade association representing the Belgian pharmaceutical industry has urged authorities to resume discussions on forging “a new pact,” a goal originally outlined as part of the federal coalition agreement of 30 September, 2020.

Delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the discussions would address “innovation, accessibility and shortages,” so that “the patient can reap the maximum benefits.”

The government has outlined an ambition to make Belgium “a real 'health and biotech valley' in which R&D, clinical trials and production are stimulated.”

The general association of the pharmaceutical industry in Belgium - pharma.be - said the planned medicines pact must create “a stable and predictable framework within which the medicines policy in Belgium will take shape in the next two years.”