**Brussels**: With Europe relying heavily on Asian pharmaceutical supply chains, ministers urge the establishment of a Critical Medicines Act to enhance domestic production and diversify sourcing. This act aims to bolster medicine security within the context of national security amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The geopolitical landscape is becoming increasingly fraught, raising concerns over the implications of globalization, particularly regarding the supply chains of essential goods like pharmaceuticals. A significant portion of the world’s antibiotics, estimated at around 80-90%, is manufactured in Asia, with China being the predominant supplier. This reliance poses a critical vulnerability for Europe, where the absence of these essential medications could transform routine procedures into high-risk surgeries and turn once-treatable infections into life-threatening conditions.
Europe’s dependence on external markets for pharmaceuticals has intensified since the region was once a leader in drug production. Currently, it imports between 60% to 80% of its pharmaceutical supply from Asia. This shift has been driven largely by competition from cheaper generic medicines and the increasing costs associated with labour and environmental regulations within Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these vulnerabilities to the forefront, as several hospitals across the continent faced significant shortages of crucial medications, including muscle relaxants necessary for emergency intubations.
In light of ongoing shortages in various medications, European Union Member States initiated calls for the establishment of a Critical Medicines Act in May 2023. The primary objectives of this proposed legislation include mapping vulnerabilities within the supply chains of essential medicines, bolstering European production capacities, and diversifying these supply chains to enhance their sustainability. The act is intended to implement award criteria that incentivise sustainable production methods and security of supply.
The Critical Medicines Act is slated for publication in mid-March. However, the rapidly evolving geopolitical climate has shifted priorities among European leaders, placing security at the forefront of their agendas. Health systems and pharmaceuticals are now increasingly viewed through the lens of national security, prompting calls for an integration of the new legislation into a broader security framework. This parallels the U.S. Defence Production Act (DPA), which empowers the U.S. government to identify and map critical supply chains and to prioritise domestic production in times of crisis.
The collaboration of European countries is essential in this regard. The Critical Medicines Act is described as a necessary tool that should be funded as part of the overall EU defence budget to ensure that essential medicines remain available even in turbulent times. It is believed that without adequate supplies of medications, Europe’s security and defence capabilities could be compromised.
A coordinated and transparent approach is required to address these issues effectively. The pressing need for a unified strategy has prompted a call for a strategic programme underpinned by EU defence funding, aimed at achieving greater autonomy for the continent in terms of pharmaceutical security.
This collaborative vision for Europe includes insights from various ministers of health across the continent, signifying broad agreement on the urgency of the situation. The article is backed by Ana Paula Martins, Minister of Health, and several other health ministers from countries including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Spain, Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Cyprus, highlighting the common acknowledgment that medicine security is a critical issue in today’s geopolitical context.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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