The political case for health investments in Norway
The Norwegian economy has, and rightly so, been described as “oil-fuelled”. Thus, there has been an increased interest among Norwegian politicians in finding new industries that can ensure economic stability and prosperity in the future. The health industry has, by the previous Government, been singled out as a potential candidate.
In April 2019, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries put forward a White Paper on the Health Industry (Meld. St. 18 (2018-2019)) to Parliament. The main objective of the White Paper was to contribute to improved competitiveness in the Norwegian health industry, and at the same time contribute to more sustainable health and care service, through more efficient prevention, treatment, and care.
Government policies to achieve this, as presented in the White Paper:
Establish a stronger culture for contact and dialogue between business and industry, the higher education sector, and the public health and care sector
Work to ensure good business conditions in general, and for research and development in particular
Make the public health and care sector an attractive partner for business and industry
Facilitate more commercialization of medical and health related research and of ideas generated within the health and care sector.
The majority of the proposals in the White Paper were endorsed by parties across the political spectrum in Parliament. With the newly inaugurated government headed by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour Party), considerable attention and interest have been paid to political signals in the new government platform “Hurdalsplattformen” introduced in mid-October 2021. The platform sets forth clear ambitions to facilitate increased investments in the health sector in Norway.
The new Government has, among other things proposed to:
Take advantage of the potential for increased value creation, export, and job creation by facilitating the increased production of critical pharmaceutical products and vaccines in Norway
Establish a national center for the development and production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals
Norwegian success stories in the health, pharmaceutical and MedTech sector in recent years have often come about as a combination of foresighted domestic investors and entrepreneurs, coupled with strong R&D clusters and targeted public support schemes, propelled by international know-how and expertise.
While the pandemic has made a strong case for why countries should invest in their pharmaceutical industries and scale up domestic production of vaccines, the nature of the health and pharmaceutical sectors is truly global, thus making a strong argument for why the solutions to future diseases and pandemics must also be so.
In the time to come, it will be seen how the minority coalition government (of Labour Party and the Centre Party) will carry out its ambitions set forth in Hurdalsplattformen. For sure, there will be tough negotiations in Parliament. The future, as both the parties in position and opposition have made strong commitments, looks favorable for establishing more innovative health industry enterprises in Norway in the years to come.
Contribution by
Pål Arne Davidsen & Ånen Ringard, Partners at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs
