Speech by President von der Leyen on the occasion of the Ceremonial launch of the Critical Medicines Alliance

Speech by President von der Leyen

Dear Ministers,
Dear Stella,
Distinguished Guests,

It's a pleasure to open this ceremony of the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency.

Today, we focus on a topic that is so important for all of us: our health. Almost four years ago, I proposed to lay the foundations of a stronger European Health Union. We needed 27 countries to work better together to handle health emergencies.

It was at the height of the pandemic. It was vital that all Europeans, from all Member States and all corners of our Union, had access to life-saving vaccines and medical devices. But the mission of our Health Union spans beyond health emergencies. We constantly face common health challenges that require joint European solutions.

Take medicines shortages. Since the turn of the millennium, shortages in Europe have increased twenty-fold. COVID-19 has exacerbated this crisis. In Belgium alone, shortages surged by 20% last year. Patients, families, and healthcare professionals across our Union are impacted.

In some cases, parents are forced to cross borders in search of medicines for their children. This is not acceptable. Together, we must ensure a robust supply of medicines in Europe, accessible to all, at all times. That's why we have so far pursued a double strategy. Looking at both the regulatory and industrial dimension.

First on the regulatory front. We have proposed an ambitious reform of our pharmaceutical legislation. Our aim is to encourage manufacturers to better address shortages. Medicines are not a product like any other. Manufacturers should have a legal obligation. First, to ensure appropriate and continued supplies across the continent. And second, to notify any interruption of supply. But cross border solidarity must also contribute to solutions.

This is why we have tasked the European Medicines Agency to create a solidarity mechanism among Member States. This work is ongoing.

However, regulatory measures alone are not enough. Shortages have a significant industrial dimension. So, today, I am proud to announce Europe's industrial response to medicines shortages: the establishment of the Critical Medicines Alliance. We announced this initiative last October. By now, over 250 stakeholders have pledged their commitment to the Alliance. It includes representatives from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, civil society organizations representing patients, consumers, and health professionals, as well as Member States, and third country representatives.

I extend a warm welcome to all, and deeply thank you for your engagement. Together, we can identify and implement the most effective measures to overcome shortages. Collective action is key to success.

The Critical Medicines Alliance will draw upon the lessons of other successful alliances. We need to bolster our economic security. Firstly, with manufacturing capacities. We will mobilise national and EU funding. We will make best use of our newly created Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform. And market incentives help scale up production like joint procurement and capacity reservation contracts.

Secondly, we will diversify the supply chains of critical medicines. We will seek strategic partnerships with third countries, including prospective EU member states like in the Western Balkans and Ukraine. By the end of 2024, the Alliance will deliver its initial recommendations.

I am grateful to the Belgian Presidency and to HERA for facilitating today's launch. We overcame the COVID pandemic together, with European solidarity and innovation. In that same spirit, I am confident that we can conquer medicine shortages in Europe.

Thank you.

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