11/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – Late on Monday 11 May, negotiators from the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament began a new session of discussions with a view to reaching an agreement on the text relating to critical medicinal products. This is the third inter-institutional ‘trilogue’ on this dossier (see EUROPE 13830/12). The compulsory redistribution of critical medicinal products is considered legally problematic, according to a European source. Instead, according to the Council of the EU, the emphasis is on better coordination between Member States and the strengthening of joint procurement mechanisms (grouped purchases) in order to prevent shortages. Support for strategic industrial projects aimed at relocating the production of essential medicines in the EU is confirmed in the EU Council’s mandate, provided that international trade rules and the national authorities’ room for manoeuvre are respected. (LC)