EC steps up action to address medicines shortages and supply security

The European Commission has today adopted a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the European Union (EU), this winter, next winter and beyond.

Recent critical shortages, including of certain antibiotics last winter, show that continued coordinated action is needed to address supply challenges and to make Europe's medicine supply chains more resilient in the long run.

The key goals of today's  Communication are to prevent and mitigate critical shortages at EU level. It puts a particular focus on the most critical medicines, for which security of supply in the EU must be ensured at all times.