Health ministers from 11 EU member states have warned that Europe can no longer afford to treat medicine security as a secondary issue, stressing the urgent need for the Critical Medicines Act to be integrated into the continent’s broader security framework. In a joint statement published on Euronews, they argue that the growing dependency on foreign sources, particularly Asia, for essential medicines poses a significant threat to Europe’s health and security.
Europe, once a leader in pharmaceutical production, now relies on Asia—particularly China—for up to 80% of its essential medicines. With geopolitical tensions rising, the ministers argue, this dependence exposes Europe to critical vulnerabilities. For instance, if the antibiotic supply chain were interrupted during a conflict, routine surgeries could become life-threatening and easily treatable infections could lead to fatalities. The ministers warn that foreign actors could exploit this vulnerability, severely undermining Europe’s security and defense capabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risks of this reliance, with hospitals facing critical shortages of medicines like muscle relaxants. Today, medicine shortages remain a serious concern across Europe, largely due to fragile supply chains and the just-in-time delivery model.
To address these issues, EU member states called for the Critical Medicines Act in May 2023. The proposed legislation aims to map vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chains, support European production, and diversify suppliers. It also seeks to improve the sustainability of the generic medicine market by implementing procurement criteria that reward secure, sustainable production.
The Critical Medicines Act, set for release this week, is seen as a vital tool in fortifying Europe’s defense capabilities. The ministers stress that just as the United States’ Defense Production Act treats pharmaceutical supply chains as a national security issue, Europe must do the same. The U.S. uses its act to prioritize government contracts, ensuring critical medicines are delivered without delay during crises. The EU must adopt similar measures, mapping vulnerabilities and ramping up domestic production where possible.
Moreover, the ministers call for coordinated European stockpiling of critical medicines, emphasizing the need for transparency, cooperation, and solidarity among EU member states to ensure timely access to essential medicines during emergencies.
The ministers conclude that medicine security cannot be treated as a secondary concern. The Critical Medicines Act must be expanded into a full-scale strategic program, supported by EU defense funding, to secure the continent’s strategic autonomy. Anything less, they warn, could make Europe’s reliance on critical medicines its Achilles’ heel.
