Europe Should Diversify Drug Supplies to Face Health Crises, Ministers Say
European health ministers are urging the EU Commission to take steps to reduce the bloc's dependence on a small number of countries for vital drug supplies such as antibiotics and anaesthetics, in order to boost preparedness for future health crises. The critical vulnerability posed by this dependency could severely undermine Europe's security and defence capabilities. The proposed Critical Medicine Act (CMA) aims to address these concerns through measures such as domestic production and centralized stockpiling.
- The current reliance on foreign suppliers highlights the need for a more proactive approach to addressing supply chain vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical industry, where timely delivery is critical.
- How will the implementation of a comprehensive critical medicine strategy impact the global coordination of efforts to combat pandemics and other health threats?