Deal reached to prevent medicine shortages

The EPP Group welcomes today’s agreement on the Critical Medicines Act, which will help to prevent medicine shortages in the EU. “We have reached a historic agreement on the Critical Medicines Act, placing patients’ interests firmly at the centre of our work. This breakthrough deal strengthens Europe’s resilience and boosts the competitiveness of our pharmaceutical sector,” said Tomislav Sokol MEP, the EPP Group’s spokesman in Parliament’s Committee on Public Health.

The agreement introduces new measures to prevent shortages of critical medicinal products across the EU, while enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy in pharmaceutical manufacturing and in supply chains. “Our aim is clear: ensure that patients receive the medicines they need when they need them,” MEP Sokol said. 

“By introducing collaborative procurement at the European level for critical medicinal products, medicinal products of common interest, and orphan medicinal products, we are taking concrete action to address shortages and strengthen the security of supply across the Union,” Sokol continued. “We also introduced provisions to prevent national stockpiling obligations in one Member State from causing shortages in another. With stronger coordination, we are reinforcing solidarity mechanisms and strengthening the role of Member States in ensuring the relocation and availability of critical medicinal products across Europe.”

The agreement seeks to increase the production of pharmaceuticals in Europe by favouring EU-based manufacturers in procurement procedures. “This sends a clear signal that Europe is committed to strengthening its pharmaceutical manufacturing base, while boosting competitiveness and strategic autonomy,” Sokol added.

In addition, the new framework aims to provide greater predictability for the industry and encourage pharmaceutical companies to play a more active role in supplying the European market. Strategic projects under the Critical Medicines Act will benefit from potential EU funding opportunities as well as faster and more efficient permitting procedures.

“Europe needs to ramp up its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity as part of our overall competitiveness and self-sufficiency goals. The Critical Medicines Act is a vital step forward in that regard,” Sokol concluded.