A study by the Scientific Institute of Private Health Insurance (WIP) concludes that, compared to other European countries, oncological drugs and so-called orphan drugs, i.e. drugs for rare diseases, are available in Germany much more quickly and comprehensively. Following European approval, it takes an average of only 82 days in Germany before oncological drugs can be made available to patients. Other European countries need much longer, on average 445 days. The Netherlands, for example, needs 163 days and Switzerland even 309 days. In addition, the authors of the WIP study found that in no other European country are so many newly developed cancer drugs available as in Germany. Of the 31 drugs developed between 2015 and 2017, cancer patients have access to 30 of them. In the Netherlands, there are 29, Switzerland 27, Finland 21, Spain 19, Norway 17, Estonia six and Poland five. Orphan drugs are also available in Germany relatively quickly after approval; this takes an average of 113 days. This puts Germany at the top of the ranking in this category, as Switzerland, which is already in second place, is clearly behind with 207. The EU average is 493 days. The authors have also analysed why Germany has faster and more comprehensive access. According to the study results, the reasons are to be found in the attractiveness of the German pharmaceutical market for pharmaceutical research work, but also in „the very good medical infrastructure“. Furthermore, in contrast to other European countries, an early benefit assessment by the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) is only necessary for Germany once the drugs have already been reimbursed by the health insurance funds. This process is different and slower in other neighbouring countries. In these countries, doctors are only allowed to use these drugs after an evaluation has already taken place.
