Towards patient welfare-centred pharmaceutical patents. A sustainable perspective

Abstract

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Encouraging innovation by rewarding pharmaceutical patent holders is a key to societal progress, given mandatory disclosure and adequate reimbursement. Following debate on fair prices from a competition law perspective, the recent Health Trade Assessment Regulation provides Member States with a harmonized tool to help them set prices in a more sustainable way. • Tis article discusses the extent to which the Regulation will provide comprehensive access to healthcare as an expression of patient welfare, framing the debate in terms of sustainability.