According to preliminary 2023 data, life expectancy at birth in the EU was 81.5 years, up by 0.9 years from 2022, and 0.2 years compared with the pre-pandemic level in 20191. Over the years, the steady increase in the population living longer has, in part, been helped by the development of new medicines, vaccines, and treatments that can tackle some of the leading causes of disease and life-threatening illnesses. However, these developments can create additional burdens on the NHS and ultimately the patients it serves.
During this period of rapid change and innovation, many patients are not benefitting from that innovation because these new medicines are either unaffordable, inaccessible, or unavailable through ongoing supply shortages. In fact, national shortages of medicines have become an increasing concern, contributing directly to health inequalities. If patients are unable to access the medications they need, this can result in avoidable health complications.
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