Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40914772›Full record

ArticleTherapeutic innovation & regulatory science2026

Future-Proofing European Pharmaceutical Regulatory and Market Access Practices Based on EU Learnings from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Multi-Stakeholder Interviews.

Zilke Claessens, Grace Beirne, Catherine Decouttere, Nico Vandaele, Liese Barbier, Isabelle Huys

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Zilke ClaessensClinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. zilke.claessens@kuleuven.be.
Grace BeirneAccess-To-Medicines Research Centre, Faculty of Economics & Business, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Catherine DecouttereAccess-To-Medicines Research Centre, Faculty of Economics & Business, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Nico VandaeleAccess-To-Medicines Research Centre, Faculty of Economics & Business, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Liese BarbierClinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Isabelle HuysClinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. contact.isabellehuys@kuleuven.be.

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 1S52125NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek G086623NInnovative Medicines Initiative 101005077
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory and market access actions were taken to expedite the market entry of COVID-19 medicines. This study aims to (i) capture multi-stakeholder views on these actions, and (ii) provide recommendations for future-proofing routine and health-emergency frameworks.

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with policy makers/advisors (i.e. regulators, HTA assessors, and payers), and pharmaceutical industry representatives across Europe to elicit their perspectives on marketing authorisation and market access practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were transcribed ad verbatim and transcripts analysed via the thematic framework method.

resultsThe interviews (n = 16) resulted in an overview of stakeholder-perceived benefits and limitations for four key regulatory advice or authorisation procedures (i.e. emergency task force, rapid scientific advice, rolling review, conditional marketing authorisation) and one market access procedure (i.e. joint procurement) applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighted benefits of the procedures relate to a reduction in timelines, enhanced collaboration and alignment, procedural flexibilities, and often a combination of these. Challenges are linked to inefficient allocation of time and resources for both industry representatives and policymakers/advisors and decreased transparency in certain procedures. In addition, several recommendations for the optimisation of both the routine and health-emergency healthcare framework were proposed. Emphasis is placed on the need for enhanced interaction and alignment between industry representatives and policymakers/advisors but also within stakeholder groups, development of more pragmatic and flexible procedures, and application of clear and transparent eligibility criteria for facilitating actions.

conclusionThis study provides an overview of the perceptions from regulatory, and market access practices during COVID-19, highlighting how these experiences can inform regulatory and market access practices both in routine times and during health emergencies. Taking stock of stakeholder reflections and lessons learned are valuable for improving preparedness and responsiveness in future health crises.

Indexed as

COVID-19 Drug TreatmentDrug ApprovalDrug IndustryCOVID-19EuropeEuropean UnionHumansInterviews as TopicPandemicsSARS-CoV-2COVID-19Joint procurementMarket accessPandemic preparednessPatient accessQualitative researchRegulatory framework

Identifiers

PMID40914772
PMCPMC12753532

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.