June 4, 2025
The American Chamber of Commerce in Estonia (AmCham Estonia), in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and supported by several national AmChams across Europe, has issued a formal appeal to Estonian Minister of Social Affairs, Karmen Joller, urging the Estonian government to support a strong and predictable Regulatory Data Protection (RDP) framework in the ongoing revision of the EU General Pharmaceuticals Legislation (GPL).
In an open letter submitted today, the chambers emphasize that the current RDP period of 8 years plays a vital role in encouraging innovation, ensuring timely patient access to new therapies, and maintaining Europe’s competitiveness in the global life sciences sector.
“A reduction in the RDP period would discourage investment in pharmaceutical research and delay patient access to innovative treatments across Europe,” the letter states. “Introducing uncertainty through conditionalities would further undermine the EU’s attractiveness as a hub for life sciences innovation.”
The business community highlights that Europe risks falling behind as a preferred launch destination for new medicines if the proposed reductions go forward. Industry experts warn this could particularly impact smaller EU markets, where patients may face longer waits for breakthrough therapies.
AmCham Estonia and its European partners call on policymakers to:
- Preserve or enhance the current RDP framework;
- Maintain the EU’s position as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation;
- Promote regulatory efficiency and reduce complexity;
- Support faster review timelines at the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The chambers underline that protecting intellectual property through a stable RDP system is not only about safeguarding innovation—it is a strategic investment in Europe’s healthcare resilience and competitiveness.
AmCham Estonia remains committed to engaging constructively with stakeholders to support reforms that strengthen Europe’s position in the global pharmaceutical landscape and improve health outcomes for all Europeans.