#None #Zentiva #European Health Check #Generic Medicines

Overview of the Event

Zentiva, a leading pharmaceutical company, recently participated in the European Health Check event, which examined critical concerns affecting the healthcare landscape in Europe, particularly focusing on the role of generic medicines. This event served as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and health professionals to discuss the future of affordable healthcare in the region.

Key Findings of the Survey

During the event, a survey revealed that 77% of participants do not believe the current system regulating generic medicines is sustainable or effectively guarantees their availability and affordability for patients across the European Union. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic reform in the industry, given that generics account for 70% of medications used in Europe, with 90% of these being essential drugs within the healthcare system.

Challenges Facing Generic Medicines

Ines Windisch, Zentiva's Head of Communication, stressed that generics are pivotal to Europe’s healthcare infrastructure but are increasingly challenged by regulatory fragmentation, price caps, and bureaucratic efforts related to the Green Deal for Europe. The pressing issue relates to maintaining competitive and equitable access to essential medications in the face of growing pressures.

Windisch emphasized that the Essential Medicines Act is a significant step forward; however, it must rejuvenate the regulatory framework and provide incentives for production. Ensuring medicines remain accessible, affordable, and sustainable for those relying on them daily is paramount.

Discussing the Future of Medicine Availability

The event also featured influential voices from various European institutions, including the European Parliament and Medicines for Europe, discussing regulatory, economic, and societal dimensions facing the off-patent pharmaceutical sector. A shared concern was the potential for drug shortages due to inconsistent notification and mitigation measures, particularly with larger countries maintaining fragmented storage policies, leaving smaller nations vulnerable. This contradicts the EU’s solidarity principle and poses additional costs and bureaucratic burdens on the industry.

Regulatory Updates and Their Impact

Another hot topic was the new directive concerning the treatment of urban wastewater. Despite concerns raised by 16 member states, this directive, now in effect, requires the pharmaceutical industry to manage the costs associated with their products’ environmental impact due to consumption and disposal. Adrian van den Hoven, General Director of Medicines for Europe, warned that this could lead to new drug shortages, making production economically unviable.

Additionally, the selective imposition of cost-sharing mechanisms for medicines and cosmetics raises essential equity questions within the pharmaceutical landscape.

A Call to Action from Zentiva

As a response to these discussions, Zentiva is calling for tangible actions from EU leaders to enhance pricing frameworks aligned with inflationary pressures, enrich harmonized storage strategies, and implement fair cost-sharing mechanisms that don’t unfairly disadvantage particular sectors. By adopting these initiatives, Europe can secure a stable and resilient supply of medicines while preserving affordable, high-quality treatments accessible to all EU patients.

In conclusion, Windisch highlighted the broader implications of maintaining the availability of generic medicines, likening them to lifelines for millions. She advocated for collective efforts to preserve their sustainability for future generations, underscoring that ensuring the viability of the generic industry is crucial for protecting the health and well-being of all European citizens.

About Zentiva

Zentiva stands as a pan-European platform committed to developing, producing, and delivering high-quality, affordable medicines to over 100 million individuals across Europe. With four owned production sites and a robust network of external partners, Zentiva ensures supply chain security in critical therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, respiratory diseases, and CNS disorders while expanding its self-medication product portfolio. Continuing its trajectory of sustainable double-digit growth, Zentiva aims to reinforce its mission to guarantee health and well-being for future generations.