Is it better to live in a country that buys medicines that save people's lives instead of pointless in the era of drone swarms, armored military transporters: the availability of innovative medicines in Lithuania is improving, but still does not reach the EU average

 

“The availability of innovative medicines in Lithuania has been improving in recent years, but it still does not reach the European Union (EU) average, according to the International Study on the Availability of Innovative Medicines (W.A.I.T). According to Jūra Smilgaitė, Director of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry Association (IFPA), innovative treatment reaches Lithuanian patients on average within two years, therefore, in order to maintain a further positive trend, according to her, it is necessary to ensure increasing financing of the health system.

 

“Although Lithuania is still lagging behind the EU average in terms of the availability of innovative medicines and the period during which they begin to be reimbursed, the results of the study show an improving trend. In order to maintain this positive trend in the coming years, it is important to ensure financing of the health system that meets the needs,” the report states J. Smilgaitė.

 

According to the study, out of 168 medicines that were registered in the EU during the study period, 37 medicines were on the lists of reimbursed medicines in Lithuania on January 5, 2026. At that time, the European average was 76 medicines, and the largest number of innovative medicines was reimbursed in Germany (156), Austria (143) and Italy (133).

 

The average period during which medicines are included in the lists of reimbursed medicines in Lithuania is 783 days - 76 days shorter than last year. The study shows that the EU average is 532 days. The fastest way for medicines to reach patients is in Germany - within 56 days from the registration of the medicine in the EU.

 

“Compared to last year’s results, the overall availability of innovative medicines in Lithuania increased from 28 to 37, and the average period shortened from 859 to 783. After many years, Lithuania has risen from the bottom of Europe, but it is still far too early to say that the accessibility challenges have been resolved,” notes J. Smilgaitė.

 

13 innovative medicines for the treatment of oncological diseases

 

The results of W.A.I.T. 2025 show that out of 56 innovative oncological medicines registered with the European Medicines Agency in 2021–2024, 13 were reimbursed in Lithuania as of January 5 of this year, when the European average is 28 medicines. The largest number of medicines (51) is available to patients in Germany.

 

The average period during which new oncological medicines enter the reimbursement lists has increased both in Europe and in Lithuania. The European average is 598 days, compared to 540 days last year. In Lithuania, this period is 1026 days or almost 3 years, compared to 978 days last year.

 

Lithuania achieved a higher position in terms of the availability of medicines for the treatment of rare diseases. According to the study, out of 66 medicines registered over the past four years, 17 were available in Lithuania, compared to the EU average of 28. The results of the study also showed that the average period in Lithuania during which medicines start to be reimbursed is in line with the EU average.

 

According to J. Smilgaitė, in order to increase the attractiveness of European countries for research into new medicines and significantly shorten the waiting time for patients to receive advanced treatment, a more balanced approach to pricing and reimbursement processes is necessary.

 

At the request of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), the international health market data research company IQVIA annually conducts the W.A.I.T. (Waiting to Access Innovative Therapies) study. This is the largest study in Europe analyzing how many new medicines are included in the reimbursement lists in countries and how long it takes.

 

The W.A.I.T. 2025 study analyzed data on 168 medicines that met the European Medicines Agency's definition of innovative medicines and were registered in 2021-2024. Data were collected from 36 countries: 27 EU and 9 non-EU members.”