Europe’s Critical Medicines Act faces pivotal talks to secure drug supply chains
The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Critical Medicines Act (CMA), setting the stage for further discussions on medicine availability. Trilogue negotiations will now take place between the European Commission, EU member states, and parliament to finalise the law. Meanwhile, the German Pharmaceutical Wholesale Association (Phagro) has outlined key priorities to strengthen Europe’s medicine supply chains.
Phagro is pushing for full-service pharmaceutical wholesalers to be officially recognised as critical infrastructure under EU law. The association argues that these wholesalers have proven their value during crises, ensuring fair and efficient distribution nationwide. Their role was particularly evident in the rapid and effective rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, coordinated largely by Phagro members.
The group insists that the CMA should not focus only on increasing production capacity. Instead, it calls for greater investment in storage and distribution networks to guarantee medicines reach patients when needed. Phagro Chairman Marcus Freitag stressed that reliable access to critical medicines depends on stable supply chains, where wholesalers play a vital part. Phagro has proposed three main priorities for the German government in the upcoming trilogue talks. These include establishing a European framework for strategic medicine stockpiles, formally classifying full-service wholesalers as systemically relevant, and strengthening storage and distribution systems. The association also backs the European Parliament’s recommendation for closer cooperation between national authorities, EU disaster response agencies, and key wholesalers during health emergencies.
The trilogue negotiations will determine how the CMA addresses medicine shortages and supply chain resilience. Phagro’s proposals aim to ensure wholesalers are integrated into crisis response plans and recognised for their role in maintaining access to essential treatments. The outcome will shape how Europe prepares for future health emergencies.
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