Brussels: Cyprus presented a proposal before the EU Health Council in Brussels, on Tuesday, for the establishment of a voluntary cooperation mechanism for joint procurement of pharmaceutical products, the Health Ministry has announced. The initiative, proposed by Health Minister Michalis Damianos, aims to tackle challenges regarding the availability, accessibility, and affordability of innovative medicines. The proposal, which was positively received, seeks to enhance the efficiency of medicine procurement across EU member states.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the proposal is inspired by the successful joint procurement of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, it will focus on oncology medicines that undergo Health Technology Assessment. The framework suggested is designed to boost the bargaining power of member states, ensuring fair pricing, supply security, and support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the pharmaceutical industry.
Cyprus has joined forces with Croatia, Denmark
, Greece, Latvia, Malta, and Slovenia, urging the European Commission to assess the proposal and provide the necessary guidance and legal foundation. Additional support has come from Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Portugal, highlighting a collective drive to improve access to innovative medicines in smaller markets.
The Ministry noted that international media, including Politico, Euractiv, and Contexte, have sought interviews with Minister Damianos, reflecting the significant interest generated by the proposal. During the Council session, Damianos welcomed progress in revising EU pharmaceutical legislation, emphasizing that the adoption of the Pharmaceutical Package will enhance access to innovative medicines in small markets like Cyprus.
The Minister underscored the necessity of fortifying the legal framework to promote medicines in small markets and suggested exploring European sanctions to ensure pharmaceutical industry compliance, thereby reinforcing EU solidarity. In discussions about the
European Health Union, aligned with the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, Damianos addressed recommendations for the pharmaceutical sector.
On the sidelines, Damianos held a trilateral meeting with Poland’s Health Minister, Izabela Leszczyna, and Denmark’s Health Minister, Sophie Løhde, to discuss priorities for the upcoming EU Presidency. Later, during a ministerial panel at the European Health Summit, Damianos emphasized the EU’s future reliance on citizens’ health, with healthcare being integral to political and social welfare. He highlighted the pharmaceutical sector’s role, employing approximately 937,000 people, and its significance during the pandemic, while also pointing out the challenges faced by Cyprus as a small market. The panel included Health Ministers from Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Hungary.