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Insights from the European Health Check Event

On December 17, 2024, Zentiva hosted the "European Health Check" in Brussels, where a significant live survey was conducted. This survey unveiled that a staggering 77% of participants expressed skepticism regarding the sustainability of the current systemic framework governing the generics industry in Europe. This outcome demands immediate attention, signaling a pressing need for reforms aimed at reinforcing the generics sector, which plays a vital role in ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and affordable across the continent.

Around 70% of medicines dispensed in Europe are generics, with nine out of ten essential medicines classified as such. These figures illustrate how pivotal generic medicines are to public health. Yet, the sector is increasingly burdened by numerous challenges, hindering its ability to thrive.

Ines Windisch, Head of Communications, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability at Zentiva, opened the event by emphasizing critical points about the generics sector’s challenges. She stated, “Generic medicines are the cornerstone of Europe's healthcare system, but they face increasing pressure from fragmented regulations, price caps, and the bureaucratic application of the European Green Deal.” Windisch further advocated for necessary measures to renew the regulatory framework and provide manufacturing incentives to secure the accessibility and affordability of generic medicines.

The event gathered key stakeholders, including leaders from the generics industry, policymakers, and healthcare professionals, to address the regulatory, economic, and social dimensions of the challenges facing off-patent pharmaceuticals. The discussion revealed alarming insights regarding the emerging risk of medicine shortages, highlighting the growing concerns about how stockpiling policies of larger EU member states could disadvantage smaller nations. This situation risks violating the EU's solidarity principle, imposing an additional burden of costs on the industry, and potentially leading to wasted medicines.

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive was another significant topic of concern, raising eyebrows among representatives from 16 member states. This directive introduces fees for the medicines industry due to the disposal of pharmaceutical waste into water systems. Adrian van den Hoven, Director General of Medicines for Europe, commented on this directive, stating, “This fee essentially acts as a consumption tax on medicines, which could render production economically nonviable, further exacerbating medicine shortages.” The uneven financial burden imposed solely on the medicines and cosmetics industries sparked questions about fairness and intended impact on the broader healthcare system.

In light of the issues discussed, Zentiva is calling for decisive action. The organization urges EU leaders to reform pricing frameworks to be more reflective of inflationary pressures while ensuring economic sustainability for the generics market. Additionally, there is a push for prioritizing harmonized stockpiling policies and implementing equitable cost-sharing mechanisms that do not unfairly disadvantage specific sectors. By adopting these measures, Europe can enhance its medicine supply security and ensure that high-quality treatments remain accessible and affordable for all patients.

As Windisch concluded, “Generic medicines are more than cost-effective solutions – they are lifelines for millions. Together, we must safeguard their availability and sustainability for generations to come.” These remarks highlight the importance of ensuring a viable future for the generics industry, critical for securing the health and well-being of citizens in Europe.

Missed the event? Watch the full recording here.

About Zentiva

Zentiva is a Pan-European platform dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and distributing high-quality, affordable medicines to over 100 million people across Europe. It operates four wholly owned manufacturing facilities and has a broad network of external partners to ensure supply security across key therapeutic areas. With an ambitious five-year growth strategy, Zentiva strives to provide access to essential healthcare for all generations while fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace environment.