EU sources for vital medication: Can we solve the bottlenecks?

EU sources for vital medication: Can we solve the bottlenecks?

In a pioneering step to ensure pharmaceutical supply in Europe, the Critical Medicines Alliance, a body commissioned by the European Commission, published a comprehensive strategy report. This report, intended as a crucial tool for coping with crisis and reaction in health emergencies, plays a central role in the debate in the debate about ensuring access to vital medication for citizens in the European Union. Alexander Herzog, General Secretary of the Pharmig, emphasizes: "We have to reduce the likelihood of delivery bottlenecks and strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains," says ots.at . The report calls for a holistic approach to solving supply bottlenecks, whereby the local and sustainable production of medication is particularly highlighted.

it is obvious that there is a need for action. According to current estimates, 40 percent of the drugs distributed in the EU come from third countries, while up to 80 percent of the important pharmaceutical active ingredients are produced in countries such as China and India. In May, 19 EU member states called for political measures to strengthen supply security in a non-paper, including a “critical medicines act” to reduce the dependence on foreign manufacturers. This initiative aims to stimulate the production of important drugs within the EU and was supported, among others, by Belgium, France and Germany, such as "https://dsv-europa.de/de/news/2023/strategic-autonomie-von-arzneitmittel.html"> dsv-europa.de France also announced a re-horing initiative that contains a relocation of the production of 50 drugs.

This strategic change of course is considered crucial by the signatory states to ensure the availability and safety of drugs in the EU in the long term. A coordinated procedure at EU level is more than ever required to effectively combat the challenges that arise from delivery bottlenecks.