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Zentiva Calls for Action on Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

In a pivotal moment for European healthcare, Zentiva has voiced urgent concerns regarding the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) during its recent annual conference held in Brussels. The gathering brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to address pressing issues surrounding healthcare resilience in light of geopolitical challenges.

A Meeting of Minds

The conference, themed "Building a Resilient Health Union Security, Access and Competitiveness", posed critical questions about the effective implementation of healthcare regulations in Europe. Discussions ranged from the Critical Medicines Act to the impactful role of biotechnology and the pressing need for the sustainability of healthcare procurement as budgets continue to be strained. The dialogue aimed to strengthen the manufacturing base of Europe, ensuring that communities can access affordable medicines amidst ongoing transitions to cleaner and more digital solutions.

Zentiva's CEO, Steffen Saltofte, took the stage on a panel focused on ensuring access to medicines amid these shifts. Saltofte prioritized the goal of a clean transition but cautioned against compromising medicine access as a result. He emphasized the delicate balance that needs to be struck between sustainability efforts and the healthcare needs of patients who depend on medical products regularly.

The Need for Change

Worries about the current UWWTD implementation dominate discussions, with Zentiva highlighting a pressing need to Pause, Repair, and Relaunch the directive. Saltofte pointed out the dangerous consequences of the directive as it currently stands. He stated that its ongoing implementation could inadvertently jeopardize the affordability of medicines, undermine supply security, and hinder the long-term sustainability of the generics sector in Europe.

Among the primary concerns are the unrealistic assumptions underlying the directive and the severely underestimated cost assessments conducted by the European Commission. Such oversights raise significant alarms regarding the availability of essential off-patent medicines across Europe, which could lead to precarious access for countless patients.

Learning from the Swiss Model

Fortunately, there are successful models to look to for guidance. Saltofte pointed out that the Swiss model offers a robust alternative, demonstrating how cost-sharing, phased implementation, and cross-sector collaboration can progress towards environmental goals without compromising patient care. By observing and adapting successful frameworks from neighboring countries, Europe could find a path that supports both environmental responsibility and the critical healthcare needs of its citizens.

Safeguarding Economic Viability

In his concluding remarks, Saltofte pressed the need to protect the economic viability of medicines produced within Europe. He warned that if burgeoning environmental policies impose disproportionately heavy financial burdens on pharmaceutical manufacturers, it could lead to an exodus of production from Europe. Such a shift could threaten the supply resilience and undermine the EU's aim for strategic autonomy in healthcare.

Zentiva's mission goes beyond just sustainability; it encompasses ensuring that healthcare remains accessible to all individuals, regardless of the obstacles presented by economic pressures. The healthcare community is continually reminded by Saltofte that health is a right, not a privilege.

Zentiva envisions a future where both environmental sustainability and healthcare accessibility coexist harmoniously, allowing communities to thrive and ensuring that affordable medicines are available to all who rely on them. As they strive for a better tomorrow, they are committed not just to being a provider of medicines but advocates for a healthcare system that respects and supports all generations.

A Commitment to Future Generations

About Zentiva: For over 500 years, Zentiva has been dedicated to health and wellbeing, expanding its reach as a European company producing high-quality and affordable medicines. With manufacturing sites and a wide network of partners, they are committed to ensuring sustainable growth in a rapidly changing market.

As such, Zentiva has positioned itself to adapt strategically while maintaining its core values: ensuring supply security and caring for the health needs of over 100 million people across Europe. Their ongoing journey aims to not only meet today’s challenges but pave the way for generations to come, ensuring that their legacy continues for another 500 years.