Comparative effectiveness research and measuring the level of pharmaceutical innovation in the EU

Over the past 50 years, medicines have made a huge contribution to improving the health status of populations. However, the level of pharmaceutical innovation varies widely, ranging from breakthrough treatments for life-threatening diseases to minor modifications of medicines that have been on the market for some time. Once innovative medicines approach the market, a system of measuring the level of innovation should be established. This perspective describes the current situation, the challenges and initiatives, and formulates recommendations for a coordinated EU action to measure the level of pharmaceutical innovation. In our opinion, comparative effectiveness research needs to play a central role in measuring the level of pharmaceutical innovation.