"We need more competition in the overall healthcare system in Germany," acknowledges Bayer's Wenning. "But I do not think it is compatible that reimbursement limits have been laid down for innovative drugs," he says. "This will mean that it is not possible to have prices formed on the basis of the market. This cannot be what the healthcare market wants in terms of efficiency and being forward-looking."

Sarah Houlton is Pharmaceutical Executive's global correspondent. She can be reached at sarah@owlmedia.co.uk