Disruption of medical supply chains in the EU due to COVID-19 and unilateral national measures
15.4.2020
Priority question for written answer P-002273/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christophe Hansen (PPE)
Currently, up to 90 % of all active ingredients used in medicines are produced in India and China. The increasing concentration in the market and quality problems in production have led to price increases and global supply constraints. The COVID-19 crisis shows how vulnerable the EU has become due to its dependence on pharmaceuticals from third countries, which undermines national health systems and put patients at risk. The current crisis is further exacerbated as some Member States restrict the intra-community movement of pharmaceuticals by imposing export bans. This often affects medicines which are neither used in treating coronavirus nor at risk of shortages in the exporting Member State. These actions may cause unnecessary shortages in the supply of medicines urgently needed by EU patients to the recipient country.
- 1.Does the Commission agree that unilaterally imposed export restrictions for pharmaceuticals, especially those that are neither essential in treating COVID-19 nor at risk of shortages, are incompatible with the free movement of goods?
- 2.How does it plan to tackle increasing medicine shortages in the EU, particularly in times of crisis?
- 3.What incentives does it propose to strengthen the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and reduce its dependence on third countries?