Brussels – The European Commission introduced new legislation on Tuesday aimed at preventing shortages of critical medicines in the European Union (EU) by strengthening supply chains and boosting domestic pharmaceutical production.
The proposal comes in response to growing concerns over medicine shortages, which have plagued several EU Member States in recent years.
The Commission highlighted that global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have exposed vulnerabilities in the EU’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
In particular, Europe’s reliance on a limited number of countries for essential drug ingredients has led to disruptions in supply, endangering patient care and public health.
Aiming for Supply Chain Resilience
The proposed legislation seeks to enhance supply chain resilience through multiple measures, including easier access to funding for industrial projects related to critical medicines and their ingredients.
By accelerating administrative and scientific support for pharmaceutical production within the bloc, the Commission aims to reduce dependency on external suppliers.
Under the new regulations, public procurement processes for medicines will become more stringent. Buyers will be required to consider factors such as diversification of supply sources and closer monitoring of supply chains when awarding contracts.
In cases where reliance on a single country or a small group of countries is deemed excessive, procurement criteria will favour production within the EU.
In a further move to secure medicine availability, the Commission will facilitate joint public procurements among Member States.
By consolidating demand and negotiating collectively, the EU hopes to ensure a stable supply of essential drugs at competitive prices. Additionally, partnerships with like-minded countries outside the EU will be explored to further expand and diversify supply sources.
Legislative Efforts Complementing Existing Reforms
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address ongoing medicine shortages in the EU. The Commission is currently working on pharmaceutical reforms that are being negotiated between the European Parliament and the European Council.
These reforms aim to modernize EU pharmaceutical regulations, improve transparency in supply chains, and encourage innovation in medicine production.
The latest proposal reflects growing recognition among EU policymakers that pharmaceutical security is a matter of strategic importance.
By promoting a more sustainable and self-reliant pharmaceutical sector, the Commission hopes to prevent future disruptions and ensure that essential medicines remain accessible to all EU citizens.
Industry experts have welcomed the proposal, noting that a stronger regulatory framework could help mitigate future risks.
However, some have cautioned that implementing the measures will require significant investment and coordination between Member States and pharmaceutical companies.
The Commission’s proposal will now be subject to review and discussions within the European Parliament and the European Council before it can be adopted into law.
If approved, it is expected to bring fundamental changes to the way medicines are sourced, produced, and distributed across the EU.
As Europe continues to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, securing the availability of critical medicines remains a top priority for policymakers. The new legislation marks a crucial step toward building a more resilient and independent pharmaceutical sector in the EU.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
