[Drugs in the European Union: the health-market complex].
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the peculiar economic nature of the pharmaceutical market in the EU, to study potential groupings of countries based on several pharmaceutical variables, to analyze some recent regulations designed to create the single market, and to present some thoughts on the decision making process in public health from the perspective of current public health budgets.


METHODS
We performed an economic analysis of health and pharmaceutical macrovariables, cluster analysis, review of EU pharmaceutical and industrial regulations and review of pharmaceutical budgeting legislation in the member states.


RESULTS
The pharmaceutical market of the EU was characterized and EU countries were classified into two principal groups according to 5 selected variables. EU regulations tend to promote R + D and drug production and thus the EU industrial sector is backed up. National regulations differ in terms of pricing and drugs reimbursement.


CONCLUSIONS
The creation of a single market for drugs in the EU should take this regulatory diversity into account and seek equilibrium between economic factors and public health. This single market may be a dangerous strategy if it becomes a general dogma and even more so if deadlines are fixed and short.
Antoñanzas
Fernando
F
Universidad de La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain. fernando.antonanzas@dee.unirioja.es
Rodríguez
Roberto
R
Sacristán
José Antonio
JA
Illa
Rafael
R
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000191:economics; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005062:European Union / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D038622:Internationality; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations