A Critical Medicines Act to secure Europe's pharmaceutical independence

In a recently adopted opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warns that the EU's overreliance on imports from Asia of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished medicines poses a threat to the health and well-being of EU citizens. The EESC is therefore proposing a Critical Medicines Act.

The European Union is facing a growing challenge in securing its supply of essential pharmaceuticals, with the majority of its active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished medicines currently being imported from Asia. This reliance on external suppliers raises concerns about the EU's resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions, price volatility and potential geopolitical risks.

"We are jeopardising our citizens' health by relying on external suppliers for essential pharmaceuticals. We must act now to ensure that Europeans have access to the medications they need," stated Lech Pilawski, EESC rapporteur for the opinion.

To address these concerns, the EESC recommends setting up a new EU mechanism to support the production of APIs and finished medicines in Europe. The proposed Critical Medicines Act is envisioned as a comprehensive EU mechanism, presented in the form of a regulation, to actively support the production of APIs and finished medicines within the European Union. This mechanism would provide funding for research and development, infrastructure development and operating costs.

Implementation of these recommendations will require significant investment and cooperation between EU Member States. The EESC is calling on the European Commission to take the lead in coordinating this effort and to develop a comprehensive strategy that can safeguard Europe's health security, promote economic prosperity and ensure the affordability of medicines for EU citizens. (gb)