EU medicines procurement policy must 'prescribe' security of supply for patients

The European Commission has presented European Union (EU) guidance on public procurement of medicines which is critical to improve the security of supply for patients and health systems.

There is a need for concrete improvements to the procurement process, including better demand predictability and ensuring multiple suppliers on the market, according to generics and biosimilars trade group Medicines for Europe. Reform of generic and biosimilar medicine procurement policies is needed to encourage more manufacturers to invest in EU supply, it contends.

Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) award criteria for policy objectives, such as security of supply or environmental protection, should be aligned across the EU. Award criteria needs to recognise the significance of these investments and therefore move away from lowest price as the sole criteria for medicine procurement. This makes EU procurement guidance that would provide legal clarity to both procurers and suppliers extremely valuable.