Time to re-evaluate drug supply chains- MEP

 

Mairead McGuinness MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament has ensured MEPs will debate the crucial issue of the shortage of medicines in Europe during the Parliament's plenary session next week.

Speaking from Brussels today (Thursday), McGuinness, a Member of the Parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee underlined the importance of the debate, particularly given the increasing strain on global public health services and pharmaceutical supply chains due to the spread of the coronavirus.

"I requested that the European Parliament would hold a debate on the shortage of medicines in Europe some weeks ago as it was already an issue, however, the current situation with regard to Coronavirus does highlight the urgent need to examine this problem. I welcome that my MEP colleagues backed my request so that the debate will proceed with contributions from the European Commission and Council next Wednesday", the Midlands North West MEP said.

In requesting the debate, McGuinness pointed out that Europe is highly dependent on China and India for its supply of the ingredients needed in many medicines, even though Europe is considered one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of drugs.

"This has been an issue of concern for some time now, with regard to shortages and our dependence on Asia but the coronavirus has added a further pressure with some factories slowing down production or closing altogether for containment reasons in China.

"Another major factor that must be considered is that the more we outsource the production of elements of our medicines, the less manufacturing jobs there are in Europe, and indeed in Ireland – which is home to a very important medical industry.

"It is high time to re-evaluate our pharmaceutical supply chains", McGuinness said.

The European Parliament debate on the Shortage of Medicines is scheduled to take place next Wednesday afternoon (11 March).