The European Commission’s third postponement, on Wednesday 22 March, of the adoption of the long-awaited pharmaceutical legislative package has provoked strong reactions. A package of three texts including a proposal to revise general EU legislation on pharmaceuticals is expected to be adopted by the European Commission on Wednesday 29 March, according to its indicative agenda (see EUROPE 13076/7).
Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew Europe, French) said that this postponement was “incomprehensible and unjustifiable” when the package was almost finalised. Ms Trillet-Lenoir is urging the Commission to publish the pharmaceutical legislative package as early as April 2023.
Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourger) said: “We need to strengthen our public health systems, rebalance power with pharma industry, be better prepared to avoid medicine shortages, and most of all, put patients at the centre of our concerns!”
Tiemo Wölken (S&D, German) stressed that: “(...) We have no time to waste and any more delay is one too many!”
The European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC) is concerned that if the postponement is too late, legislative work on the subject will not be able to start during the current term. However, BEUC foresees difficult negotiations due to the controversial nature of the issues. For the organisation, the Commission has been subject to backdoor lobbying and blackmail, particularly with regard to employment. The organisation regrets not only having to work on the basis of leaked documents and but that the debate is not open and inclusive of all stakeholders. “This is not the best regulation or good governance”.
The PGEU, the Pharmaceutical Group of the EU, regretted an “unacceptable” delay and said “(European) pharmacists are putting extra effort to ensure continuity of care and minimise the negative impact of shortages on patients’ health”, but the situation is becoming increasingly complicated and there is an urgent need for concrete action.
Link to Ms Trillet-Lenoir’s press release (in French): https://aeur.eu/f/5z8 (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)