Published: Fri, 14 March 2025
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Seán Kelly MEP has welcomed new EU plans to jointly procure critical medicines to secure supply for its citizens, announced by the European Commission today. “Measures outlined in today’s proposal for a Critical Medicines Act are both wise and welcome. Pharmacists across several EU Member States are struggling to maintain stocks of certain medicines – certain antibiotics, aerosols for people with asthma, painkillers and more. It is essential that we secure access medicines for people, and at fair prices. Joint procurement, where possible, makes sense.”
At a time when the global picture is increasingly volatile, Europe also needs to become more self-sufficient, according to MEP Kelly: “While health is a national competence, the EU can work with Member States to resolve these issues. Encouraging diversification, innovation and increasing home-grown production across the pharma industry will be crucial. In Ireland, and in my own South constituency, pharma companies provide vital employment. Amid concerns about possible tariffs, we need to act now.
“To that end, there’s good news for the pharmaceutical industry in the plans announced today, with support foreseen for strategic projects that boost the production of critical medicines in the EU and prioritise supply to the EU market, according to specific criteria. Such projects could benefit from fast-track permit-granting processes and administrative support regulatory support and EU or Member State level funding.”
The United States is the EU’s main trading partner for medicinal and pharmaceutical products. In Ireland’s case, in 2024, overall exports of medical and pharmaceutical products rose by 22.4bn or 29pc to just under €100bn, according to the CSO.
Kelly also highlighted that the draft Critical Medicines Act also outlines the creation of a Critical Medicines Coordination Group, featuring two representatives per Member State and the European Medicines Agency as an observer to oversee the Act’s implementation and monitor vulnerabilities or shortages across the Union.
The proposed legislation is subject to review and final approval by the Member States (Council) and the European Parliament.
