Position paper on the Critical Medicines Alliance’s Strategic Report

EPF releases a position paper on the strategic report by the Critical Medicines Alliance.

On 28th February 2025, the Critical Medicines Alliance (CMA) published a strategic report, outlining key findings and recommendations to enhance the security and resilience of the EU’s Critical Medicines supply chains.

EPF welcomes this report as a step towards identifying the root causes of medicines shortages and an important contribution to the democratic debate on how to address them. As a next step, the economic impacts of the recommendations set by the CMA and their ability to effectively improve the availability of medicines for all patients across the EU must be further assessed. Read EPF's position here.

As the European Commission considers this strategic report in view of an upcoming proposal on a Critical Medicines Act, EPF would like to reiterate some key aspects communicated as part of our work in the CMA:

• Shortages are first and foremost a public health issue. All measures to address shortages should be driven by one public health imperative: ensuring that all patients have access to the medicines they need across the EU.
• Strict conditionality, obligations, and transparency requirements are needed to ensure that any financial incentives provided by public authorities benefit patients. 
• Patient involvement and patient information must be strengthened at all stages, from the definition of “critical medicines” to assessment of public procurement criteria that prioritise long-term impacts on patients, co-creation of information campaigns and guidelines, as well as reporting of shortages. 
• At global level, emphasising health equity is essential to ensure that international partnerships do not negatively impact patients in third countries. Maintaining patients’ trust in medicines requires alignment of international standards and strong regulatory oversight.

Last month, EPF provided feedback to the European Commission's call for evidence for the Critical Medicines Act.

EPF is ready to support all efforts to put in place a comprehensive, patient-centred system to address shortages and ensure equitable access to medicines. From the EMA’s extended mandate to the pharmaceutical legislation and the future Critical Medicines Act, a comprehensive and coherent strategy is needed to address this crucial public health issue. 

Read the position here.