Why Germany is a pharmaceutical leader

Germany is the largest pharmaceutical market in Europe and the fourth-largest globally, behind only the United States, China, and Japan (Statista, 2024). It offers an unmatched combination of market size, scientific excellence, and regulatory transparency, making it the ideal first step for pharmaceutical companies expanding into Europe.

Germany is often the first European country where new pharmaceutical products are launched. Its established regulatory processes, including the AMNOG early benefit assessment and extensive use of reference pricing, set the benchmark for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) across Europe. Successfully entering the German market not only accelerates access to one of the most valuable healthcare systems but also strengthens a company's position for broader European expansion.

In addition, Germany leads Europe in clinical research, R&D investment, and pharmaceutical patent applications, ensuring a future-oriented environment for innovation.

For U.S. pharmaceutical companies seeking a reliable, strategic, and impactful entry into Europe, Germany is the natural choice — and success here lays the foundation for success across the continent.

Sources

• Statista Research Department, Pharmaceutical Industry in Germany – Statistics & Facts, February 27, 2024.

• James C. Robinson, Dimitra Panteli, Patricia Ex, Reference Pricing in Germany: Implications for U.S. Pharmaceutical Purchasing, 2019.