The Old Continent Faces a "Chronic Drug Crisis".. External Production and Varying Prices Threaten Health Security

A wave of shortages of essential medicines is escalating in the European continent, turning into a recurring health crisis that threatens the stability of healthcare systems. Belgium is one of the most affected countries, where pharmacists complain about the simultaneous loss of dozens of vital medicines, forcing them to spend hours daily trying to secure medications and apologizing to patients.

Belgian pharmacist Didier Roncin says: "It's no longer just one or two medicines; there are dozens missing at the same time, which drains our energy and efforts".

Roots of the Crisis: External Production and Alarming Dependency

The European Court of Auditors points out that the roots of the crisis lie in Europe’s increasing reliance on Asian suppliers, where about 70% of active pharmaceutical ingredients and 79% of basic chemicals are produced outside the continent, particularly in low-cost countries.
This dependency includes even common medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and antibiotics, making supply chains vulnerable to global disruptions and transport or manufacturing crises.

Price Discrepancies Create Distribution Imbalances

The crisis is exacerbated by price differences between EU member states, as each country negotiates independently with producing companies.
Olivier Deliere, director of the pharmaceutical distribution company "Vibelco", states that companies "prefer to supply countries that pay more", creating shortages in countries with lower prices.
Regulatory restrictions and different packaging among countries also hinder the distribution process within the continent, so a medicine may be available in one country and completely absent in its neighbor.

Increased Pressure on Pharmacists and Health Facilities

Data from the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) shows that pharmacists in 2024 spent 11 hours weekly addressing shortage issues, three times what it was a decade ago, creating a tremendous professional and administrative burden.
Patients are experiencing delays in receiving treatments, especially those needing chronic or emergency medications, increasing stress and pressure within health systems.

Slow European Responses and Deferred Solutions

Despite the European Union's awareness of the seriousness of the situation, actions are still in the discussion phase.
In March, the European Commission proposed a law to encourage the production of essential medicines within the continent through financial incentives, followed in July by the launch of a "Pharmaceutical Supply Strategy" to coordinate stockpiles and build emergency reserves.
However, these plans require approval from the European Parliament and member states, a process that may take months or even years before coming into effect.

Health Security at Stake

Reports agree that the European drug crisis is no longer circumstantial but has turned into a structural threat to health security on the continent.
Experts believe that the fundamental solution lies in regaining part of the industrial production within Europe and reducing reliance on external sources, alongside standardizing pricing and regulatory policies among member states.