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The European Union (EU) has published a crucial list of 268 vital medicines, marking a significant stride towards enhanced coordination in medication procurement across the continent. However, the problem of medicine shortages persists, with the European Court of Auditors (ECA) reporting a record high of such shortages last year, and some cases ongoing this year.
The fragmentation of the EU market is exacerbated by low price transparency and substantial cost differences between member states. The European Commission has proposed an industrial policy for the pharmaceutical industry, but the question of whether subsidies should be used as incentives for locations in Europe remains unanswered.
A critical shortage is defined as a situation where there are no suitable alternatives to the missing medicines at the national level. The increasing demand due to global population growth and an aging society in Europe is one of the reasons for these shortages. The EU is reliant on Asian countries for 70% of its pharmaceutical active ingredients and 79% of its intermediate substances, adding to the complexity of the issue.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) lacks the necessary competencies to support member states outside of health crises. The European Commission, on the other hand, has announced an industrial policy proposal for the pharmaceutical industry, with the goal of bolstering the European production of these vital medicines and forming strategic partnerships, including with third countries.
The publication of an EU-wide list of critical medicines aims to address the issue of low coordination at the European level. The new European platform for monitoring shortages is significant but not yet fully operational. The Commission's response to the medicine shortage issue is criticized as too slow in the ECA's report.
ECA member Klaus-Heiner Lehne cautioned that the problem is pressing and measures must be taken. More than half of the shortage reports from the past two years occurred at or after the onset of the shortage, indicating a need for proactive measures.
The agreement in the customs dispute between the USA and EU is imminent. The internal market for medicines in the EU remains costly, complex, and fragmented due to differences in medicine names, package sizes, and labeling requirements. The increasing demand and reliance on foreign sources for critical ingredients, coupled with the slow response and inadequate coordination, underscore the need for urgent action.
As the upcoming cold and flu season approaches, an increase in critical shortages is anticipated. It is vital that the EU takes decisive steps to address this issue, ensuring the quality, supply security, and availability of essential medicines for its citizens.
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