Withdrawal of innovative medicines from the Greek market
4.12.2017
Question for written answer E-007489-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Giorgos Grammatikakis (S&D)
The package of measures agreed between the Greek Government and the institutions to complete the 2nd evaluation of the 3rd Economic Adjustment Programme included, among other things, a new unified volume rebate with an additional 25% charge for new on-patent medicines. Concerns about shortages and delays related to innovative medicines resulting from this additional charge were validated recently by the withdrawal of a cancer preparation[1] from the Greek market.
Has the marketing authorisation holder complied with the procedures stipulated by Directive 2001/83/EC for suspending this medicine’s availability?
The Commission is asked:
- —What measures does it intend to take to address similar shortages of innovative medicines at a European Union level? Does it believe that changes in the EU’s current institutional framework through appropriate initiatives could lessen or prevent medicinal shortages on the European market, thereby reducing their cost?
- —The European Commission is part of the Economic Adjustment Programme under which this measure is being applied. Would it agree to replacing this measure with an equivalent one that would not lead to the withdrawal of innovative medicines that cannot be replaced by others?
- [1] Cotelic