Health

Tools
- PDF Document - 135.21 KB

Available in English
Europe faces persistent shortages of critical medicines, affecting patients’ access to essential treatments. COVID-19 and the geopolitical context have exposed the fragility of medicine supply chains and the EU’s reliance on limited sources of production. 
The ongoing inter-institutional negotiations should ensure the Critical Medicines Act is decisive in strengthening supply security, ensuring timely and uninterrupted access to critical medicines and reinforcing health system’s resilience.

BEUC's new two-pager summarises our main recommendations for trilogue negotiations. To find out more, read our new publication here.
Tools
- PDF Document - 187.92 KB

Available in English
Europe faces serious challenges: growing shortages, high prices, and innovation that does not fully match patients’ real needs. The EU pharmaceutical legislation's revision comes at a decisive moment, alongside negotiations on the Critical Medicines Act. Both will shape future access to safe, available, and affordable medicines. This reform is a unique chance to improve access, strengthen trust in the regulatory system and healthcare systems’ resilience across Member States.

This two-pager sets out BEUC’s 6 key recommendations for trilogue negotiations to secure real benefits for consumers and patients.
Press release
- PDF Document - 98.38 KB

Available in English
Today the European Commission published its Critical Medicines Act which is set to tackle shortages by addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, including through diversification and international partnerships. BEUC considers the proposal goes in the right direction tackling shortages but should go further to ensure consumers pay a fair price.

Time to lift the blindfold on medicine prices

Over the past years, the exorbitant prices of new medicines have been making headlines across Europe. Before a new medicine hits a national market, there are usually price negotiations between the drug manufacturer and the national authority. However, there is currently an asymmetry of information in these talks to the disadvantage of national authorities, who must largely negotiate in the dark.

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As consumers are faced with a growing amount of information from different sources, we advocate for high quality and non-promotional information about health products.

The ageing of the population, rising healthcare costs and the economic crisis are challenging the sustainability of healthcare systems and consumers’ access to treatments.

Health scandals such as the weight-loss drug Mediator and the faulty PIP breast implants keep undermining consumers’ confidence in the safety of available health products and their oversight by the competent authorities.

  • Ensure consumers have access to high quality healthcare in all EU Member States
  • Guarantee consumers benefit from safe and innovative treatments
  • Allow consumers to make informed choices regarding their health