While shortages have been reduced, supply-chain risks from global conflict may reinforce those calling for greater EU autonomy when it comes to medicine supply.
The MEPs and Council will lock horns for the second trilogue on the Critical Medicines Act. While the Cypriot Presidency has described ongoing discussions as “constructive” with some room for “targeted flexibilities”, other senior diplomats told Vital Signs that there is currently “little appetite for flexibility” from the Council.
One diplomat said: “There is a strong sense that many of the Parliament’s amendments go too far, particularly on issues like the scope of Chapter III [which covers the criteria for recognising strategic projects and their financing], which could hinder investment and distort the focus of the legislation, which is incentivising the supply of critical medicines.”
The Parliament’s amendments seek a broad definition, extending the scope of the act to cover not only critical medicinal products but also “medicinal products of common interest”….
