EESC urges stronger EU action on healthcare cybersecurity and critical medicines supply

At its June plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted two opinions calling for bold EU steps to protect public health by boosting cybersecurity in hospitals and securing supplies of critical medicines. These challenges demand concrete investment, smarter cooperation, and a rights-based approach that puts people’s well-being first.

Protecting healthcare through better cybersecurity

The EESC welcomes the ambition behind the European action plan to strengthen cybersecurity in hospitals and healthcare providers. It sees this as a vital step to protect patients and ensure that health systems can withstand growing digital threats.

Alain Coheur, rapporteur for the EESC opinion on the European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers, explained that ‘Improving cybersecurity in the health sector improves general security and resilience and contributes to the Preparedness Union.’

His co-rapporteur Hervé Jeannin added that ‘The EESC emphasises the need for a comprehensive, cross-cutting EU cybersecurity policy to safeguard public health and the right to healthcare.’ He further encouraged the Commission to ‘adopt a rights-based approach to cybersecurity underpinned by EU digital and constitutional values and to recognise cybersecurity as a right just like other fundamental rights.’

While praising the plan’s objectives, the Committee points out a major shortcoming: the lack of dedicated funding. It urges the European Commission to prioritise cohesion funds to support hospitals in upgrading their cybersecurity. The EESC opinion also recommends raising awareness of basic digital hygiene practices, investing in innovative tools like digital twins and providing technical support for healthcare units lacking IT resources.

Securing critical medicines with investment and innovation

The EESC opinion on the Critical Medicines Act highlights the need for a stronger, fairer system to guarantee access to essential medicines and medical devices across Europe.

The Committee calls for a dedicated European fund, supported by the Member States, the European Investment Bank and private actors, to boost production of starting materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and critical medicines. This would help Europe reduce dependency on external suppliers while supporting research into sustainable technologies.

Ensuring supply chain transparency is also a priority. The EESC proposes creating a real-time EU-wide database to identify supply risks early, strengthen crisis responses, and enhance cybersecurity protection.

The EESC also highlights the need for large-scale upskilling and reskilling programmes, new competence centres, and stronger links between education, vocational training, and industry needs. The EESC rapporteur Veselin Mitov stressed that ‘Investing in worker skills will enhance EU production resilience. Strengthening collaboration between academia, vocational training providers and industry will ensure that educational programmes align with real-world industry needs.’ Expanding apprenticeships and supporting youth entrepreneurship in manufacturing are also priorities.

Co-rapporteur Elżbieta Szadzińska added: ‘In the implementation of the Critical Medicines Act, we are calling for the Commission to include the perspective of civil society representatives and independent experts.’

Towards a secure, resilient, and fair European health system

Together, these opinions send a clear message: the EU must invest more and act faster to protect healthcare systems, patients, and access to critical treatments. Strengthening cybersecurity and securing medicine supplies are key to building a safer, fairer, and more resilient health system for all Europeans.