The European Union (EU) plans to strengthen pharmaceutical production in Europe to avoid shortages of essential medications. Representatives of the European Parliament and member states have agreed to promote the manufacturing of these drugs with public funding. The goal is to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers.
In the past, there have been recurring issues with the availability of medications such as pain relievers and antibiotics. Cypriot Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides emphasized that patients should not worry about whether essential medications are available in pharmacies or hospitals.
The new regulations still need to be approved by the European Parliament and EU member states, but they are considered a formality. Plans include preferential procurement for medications produced in Europe and faster approvals for strategic projects. This aims to create incentives for secure supply chains.
A central point of the agreement concerns public procurement. For essential medications that have a high dependence on a few countries, medications produced in Europe will be prioritized. The Parliament stated that suppliers will be compensated in proportion to the share of medications and their active pharmaceutical ingredients produced in the EU.
