Central and Eastern Europe's future drug access debated at economic forum

The upcoming XXXV Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland, set to begin on September 8, 2026, will convene over 6,000 guests from politics, business, science, and culture for three days of discussions. Among the more than 500 scheduled events is a critical panel titled "Between MFN Pressure and European Solidarity – The Future of Drug Access in Poland and Central-Eastern Europe."

This panel aims to explore how Central and Eastern European nations can not only adapt to but also actively shape the next wave of EU pharmaceutical and industrial reforms. New EU regulations and initiatives, including the General Pharmaceutical Law (GPL), the Biotech Act, the Critical Medicines Act, and the Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA), present both challenges and opportunities for the region.

Discussions will seek to transcend the often-narrow focus on pricing and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). The goal is to ensure patients gain access to vital therapies, foster investment and competitiveness within the region, and bolster European solidarity. The panel will be moderated by Tomasz Kluszczyński, director of ACESO Healthcare Consulting, and will feature representatives from national health ministries and industry associations across the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Greece.

The panel is part of the Forum's Health Protection track, an established segment that has gathered over 700 opinion leaders and experts for 17 years. This track brings together diverse perspectives from doctors, healthcare managers, pharmaceutical industry representatives, technological innovators, and political decision-makers, all united in their pursuit of effective, sustainable, and modern solutions for the Polish and broader European healthcare systems.