Pharmaceuticals Policy in the EU

Latest news on the pharmaceutical policies of the European Union.

European Critical Medicines Alliance - guide — 25 April 2024, 22:43 CET

The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), working with the Belgian EU Presidency, launched on 24 April the Critical Medicines Alliance. The Alliance brings together national authorities, industry, healthcare organisations, civil society representatives, the Commission and EU agencies to identify the best measures to address and avoid shortages of critical medicines.

Pharma reform to tackle medicines shortages in EU — 20 March 2024, 23:10 CET

An EU Parliament committee adopted proposals Wednesday to revamp EU pharmaceutical legislation to foster innovation and enhance the security of supply, accessibility and affordability of medicines.

Brussels opens participation to Critical Medicines Alliance — 16 January 2024, 18:55 CET

The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) launched Tuesday an open call for expression of interest to join the Critical Medicines Alliance.

EU acts to address shortage of critical medicines — 24 October 2023, 23:43 CET

The European Commission adopted Tuesday a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond.

Medicine Shortages in the EU - guide — 24 October 2023, 21:27 CET

The European Commission adopted on 24 October a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond.

Brussels fines pharma companies EUR 13.4m in antitrust cartel settlement — 19 October 2023, 22:21 CET

The EU fined Alkaloids of Australia, Alkaloids Corporation, Boehringer, Linnea and Transo-Pharm a total of EUR13.4 million Thursday for taking part in a cartel concerning a key pharmaceutical ingredient.

EU institutions strike deal on sustainable and flexible fee system — 26 September 2023, 12:23 CET

EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional deal Monday on a regulation to modernise and simplify the structure of fees payable to the European Medicines Agency.

EU acts to prevent winter shortages of antibiotics — 17 July 2023, 21:51 CET

The Commission and the European Medicines Agency issued recommendations Monday for avoiding shortages of key antibiotics used to treat respiratory infections in the next winter season.

EU steps up fight against antimicrobial resistance — 13 June 2023, 23:33 CET

The EU Council adopted Tuesday a recommendation aimed at stepping up EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the fields of human health, animal health and the environment.

EU Commission agreement with BioNTech-Pfizer on the delivery of vaccines - guide — 26 May 2023, 23:27 CET

The EU Commission, acting with EU states and vaccine developers BioNTech-Pfizer, reached an agreement on 26 May to better address Member States' assessment of evolving needs for COVID-19 vaccines.

Supplementary Protection Certificates - guide — 27 April 2023, 18:55 CET

The European Commission on 27 April proposed new rules to help companies, especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), make the most of their inventions, leverage new technologies and contribute to the EU's competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

EU pharma legislation set for major reform — 27 April 2023, 21:42 CET

The Commission proposed Wednesday the largest reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation in over 20 years - with the aims of promoting innovation and ensuring patient access to affordable medicines.

Revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation - guide — 26 April 2023, 18:25 CET

The European Commission proposed on 26 April to revise the EU's pharmaceutical legislation - the largest reform in over 20 years - to make it more agile, flexible, and adapted to the needs of citizens and businesses across the EU. The revision will make medicines more available, accessible and affordable.

Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat AMR in a One Health approach - guide — 26 April 2023, 18:28 CET

The European Commission proposed on 26 April 2023 a major revision of the EU's pharmaceutical legislation. The package also includes a proposal for a Council Recommendation containing complementary measures to combat AMR in the fields of human health, animal health and the environment, through the so-called One Health approach.

EU must learn lessons from COVID-19 vaccine procurement: auditors — 13 September 2022, 18:21 CET

The EU needs to learn lessons as to whether the Commission and Member States procured COVID-19 vaccines effectively, the EU's auditors said in a special report published Tuesday.

Proposal to ensure continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland, as well as Cyprus, Ireland and Malta — 12 April 2022, 23:35 CET

The EU Council adopted on 12 April proposals to ensure the continued long-term supply of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and to address outstanding supply concerns in Cyprus, Ireland and Malta.

Europe builds preparedness against potential health threats — 08 April 2022, 17:39 CET

The EU moved Wednesday to bolster its capacity to respond to public health risks with a decontamination reserve and a new stockpile of equipment tailored to chemical, biological or nuclear emergencies.

EU looks to tighten vaccine export controls — 25 March 2021, 20:52 CET

The European Commission introduced new, tougher criteria of 'reciprocity and proportionality' Wednesday under its transparency and authorisation mechanism for COVID-19 vaccine exports.

Brussels extends export controls for COVID-19 vaccines — 11 March 2021, 23:09 CET

As Europe continues to suffer delays in some deliveries of vaccines, the EU Commission extended Thursday its 'transparency and authorisation' mechanism for COVID-19 vaccine exports to end June.

4m doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine for EU's coronavirus hotspots — 10 March 2021, 22:15 CET

The EU Commission reached an agreement with BioNTech-Pfizer Wednesday for the supply of four million more doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Member States in order to tackle coronavirus hotspots.

EU agency needs to be more open in pandemic response: Ombudsman — 10 February 2021, 21:05 CET

The EU Ombudsman called Tuesday for greater transparency and public scrutiny at Europe's disease prevention agency, as part of a wide-ranging enquiry into how EU institutions responded to the pandemic.

New EU pharma strategy to make medicines affordable — 26 November 2020, 17:21 CET

A new pharmaceutical strategy, adopted Wednesday by the EU Commission, offers patients access to affordable medicines and supports competitiveness and innovation in Europe's pharma industry.

A Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe - guide — 25 November 2020, 16:49 CET

The European Commission adopted on 25 November a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe to ensure patients have access to innovative and affordable medicines and to support the competitiveness, innovative capacity and sustainability of the EU's pharmaceutical industry.

EU approves BioNTech -Pfizer contract for access to vaccine — 12 November 2020, 17:01 CET

The Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer Wednesday, providing for an initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU Member States.

Brussels signs first contract with AstraZeneca — 31 August 2020, 23:58 CET

The first pharmaceutical contract negotiated by the EU Commission on behalf of EU Member States entered into force Thursday following the formal signature between AstraZeneca and the Commission.