The European Policy Centre (EPC) think tank published, on Wednesday 10 September, a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening EU policy to ensure “open economic security” in the area of critical medicines, in the face of persistent shortages.
Among its proposals (https://aeur.eu/f/iee ), the EPC calls for better use of data from supply chain verification systems in order to anticipate shortages and ensure real-time monitoring of critical medicines (see EUROPE 13699/9).
In budgetary terms, it calls for the fight against shortages to be included in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), with dedicated funding for the production of essential medicines, often off-patent. The EPC also recommends substantially strengthening the resources of the Critical Medicines Alliance to encourage private investment.
At the same time, the Critical Medicines Coordination Group should be given real decision-making powers, so that it can move beyond a mere advisory role.
Finally, on the international stage, the European Union is invited to promote multilateral protocols banning export restrictions during health crises, while developing mutual recognition of quality controls, cooperation on production and shared storage mechanisms. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)