European Commission launches plan to address medicine shortages
The European Commission has unveiled a plan to tackle access to essential medicines in the EU. To address potential shortages, it wants to diversify the supply chain and boost pharmaceutical production within the EU.
More than 50 per cent of drug shortages in the EU are caused by manufacturing problems. According to European Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, reports of shortages have systematically increased since 2013, peaking in 2019 with more than 14,000 reports in a year.
Partly due to geopolitical tensions and heavy dependence on a small number of Asian countries for raw materials, shortages have become even more visible. "Medicine shortages and structural dependencies in our pharmaceutical supply chains put the health of Europeans at risk," Varhelyi said.
To address these shortages, the Commission wants to "facilitate investments for companies that increase EU production of critical medicines, while incentivising actions that make supply chains more resilient", according to a press release.
In addition, the Commission has published guidelines on state aid to help member states support strategic projects related to drug production in the EU. It also encourages member states to use public procurement to diversify the supply chain and supports states that want to make joint purchases, benefiting smaller countries like Belgium.
Belgian impact
Belgium has been at the forefront of efforts to address Europe's drug shortages. It published a discussion paper with proposals to tackle the problem in 2023, including a call to reduce dependence on third countries. The Commission's proposal also follows a report by the Critical Medicines Alliance, an expert group set up during the Belgian EU presidency.
"[The plan] does not reflect the seriousness of the situation and lacks the urgency needed to ensure our health and safety"
While calling it a step in the right direction, Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke feels the Commission's plan does not go far enough. For example, it provides insufficient funding and lacks a concerted strategy for stockpiling essential medicines.
"It does not reflect the seriousness of the situation and lacks the urgency needed to ensure our health and safety," he said on Tuesday.
The plan still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and member states.
© BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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