Persistent threats of medication scarcity persist within the European Union
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has raised alarm bells about potential future shortages of essential medicines in the EU, including common antibiotics. This warning comes as EU countries reported record levels of drug shortages in 2023 and 2024.
The ECA's report highlights vulnerabilities in supply chains as one of the main causes of these critical shortages. The EU is heavily dependent on Asia for common painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. The majority of the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for these essential medicines is sourced from low-cost Asian clusters. Notably, major European pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, and Teva rely substantially on Asian API production.
Klaus-Heiner Lehne from the Court of Auditors emphasised the need for an effective solution to address these critical shortages. The EU Commission, responsible for legislative proposals in this matter, has noted the ECA's call for a stronger EU framework.
In response, the EU Commission has tabled legislative proposals aimed at combating shortages. If adopted by EU states and the European Parliament, these proposals are intended to take effect in addressing the critical shortages of essential medicines in the EU.
The Commission hopes that these legislative proposals will soon be adopted to mitigate the risks posed by the fragmented and free trade-restricted EU pharmaceutical market. The Commission's efforts come as the EU faces a growing dependency on Asian manufacturers for its essential medicines.
Between January 2022 and October 2024, EU states reported critical shortages of 136 medicines. This underscores the urgency for legislative action to ensure the availability of these vital drugs.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for the EU to address these critical shortages and establish a robust framework to safeguard the supply of essential medicines for its citizens.
