Nicosia: A preliminary agreement on the Critical Medicines Act was reached by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) with the European Parliament following lengthy and intensive negotiations, according to a statement by the Cyprus EU Presidency. It is noted that this is one of the most significant legislative files in the field of European health policy.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the new Regulation establishes, for the first time, a comprehensive framework for the prevention and management of shortages of critical medicines, the strengthening of their production within Europe, and the assurance that patients in all Member States will have timely and equal access to the treatments they need, the statement said.
A particularly important feature of the new Regulation, it adds, is the inclusion of the possibility for Member States to join forces in the procurement of critical medicines, thereby strengthening their collective bargaining power, achieving greater security of supply, and securing better access conditions.
At the same time, the Regulation promotes investment in the European production of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, with the aim of reducing Europe's dependence on a limited number of third countries, it said. 'In this way, the EU's strategic autonomy is strengthened and the health security of citizens is safeguarded,' the statement notes.
It is also noted that this preliminary agreement constitutes a substantive step towards a more resilient, secure, and fair European Health Union.
'This success demonstrates that Cyprus can, through constructive dialogue, technical expertise, and political determination, play a decisive role in shaping European policies that respond to the needs of all patients across the EU,' the statement said. With this agreement, Cyprus also leaves 'a strong imprint' on European health policy, making a substantial contribution to ensuring access for all patients to the medicines they need, the statement concludes.