Friday, February 6, 2026

Medical Innovation Under Pressure: Physicians Call for Reform, Investment, and Faster Patient Access

Innovation as an Essential Pillar of Modern Medicine

Medical innovation has become indispensable in everyday clinical practice. A recent online survey of 267 physicians from six medical specialties in Germany clearly demonstrates this: 99 percent of respondents consider medical innovation essential for effective and targeted treatment. The need for new therapeutic approaches is particularly evident in treatment-resistant diseases, insufficient effectiveness of existing therapies in certain patient groups, and rare diseases lacking approved treatment options.

Three quarters of physicians report that patients regularly benefit from innovative therapies – especially in oncology, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, the survey reveals a critical challenge: access to innovation is not consistently guaranteed for all patients.

Germany Losing Ground in International Comparison

Many physicians see limited access to innovative medicines as a major issue, particularly in comparison with other countries. 74 percent view the disparity in availability between Germany and the United States as problematic. Since 2015, 19 medicines with “Breakthrough Therapy” designation have been approved in the U.S. for severe diseases that are still unavailable to patients in Europe.

In addition, 76 percent of respondents express concern about international health policy developments that could negatively affect the future availability of innovative medicines in Germany. From a medical perspective, clear action is needed to strengthen Germany as a healthcare and research location: 80 percent of physicians call for increased investment in pharmaceutical research and development, while only 13 percent believe current funding levels are sufficient.

Alexandra Bishop, Managing Director of AstraZeneca Germany, emphasizes:
“Only through joint action can we ensure that new therapies reach patients more quickly and that Germany does not continue to fall behind in international competition.”

Need for Reform in the AMNOG System

Physicians also see an urgent need for reform in the regulatory framework. Nearly 90 percent support a reform of the AMNOG system to better align the assessment and reimbursement of new medicines with current scientific standards. 85 percent advocate for a stronger consideration of patient-centered endpoints, such as treatment-free time or functional quality of life.

In addition to efficacy, tolerability and quality of life are among the most important evaluation criteria for new therapies, cited by 96 percent of respondents respectively. Almost all physicians consider the availability of multiple treatment options to be essential for optimal patient care.

Dr. Niko Andre, Head of Oncology at AstraZeneca Germany, underlines this point:
“A modern assessment system must reflect the real benefit for patients and enable innovations to reach clinical practice more quickly.”

Conclusion

The survey results send a clear message: physicians regard medical innovation as a decisive factor for sustainable, future-oriented healthcare. To ensure that patients in Germany continue to benefit from cutting-edge therapies, modern regulatory conditions, patient-centered evaluation criteria, and sustained investment in research and development are essential.