Zentiva Takes Legal Action Against Wastewater Directive to Protect Access to Affordable Healthcare in Europe
On March 10, 2025, Zentiva, a leading pharmaceutical company, announced that it has initiated legal proceedings against the European Union's Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment (UWWTD). The lawsuit has been filed in the Court of Justice of the European Union and is primarily aimed at protecting access to affordable medicines for millions of people across Europe.
The UWWTD has recently undergone a significant overhaul by the European Union, aligning it with the European Green Deal and addressing contemporary issues such as micro-pollutants. A pivotal aspect of this directive is the introduction of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system, which mandates the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to finance new treatment processes for removing these micro-pollutants in wastewater treatment plants. However, 16 out of the 27 EU member states have expressed concerns about the directive’s possible repercussions on the availability of medicines in Europe.
Zentiva stands firm against the funding mechanism outlined in the directive, viewing it as an unsustainable financial burden for the pharmaceutical industry, thus jeopardizing the economic viability of essential medicines. Steffen Saltofte, CEO of Zentiva, emphasized the company's commitment to developing high-quality, affordable medicines. He stated, “Europe needs legislation that works. We see this directive as discriminatory and disproportionate.” Saltofte added that clean water is crucial for life and medicine production.
The changes to the UWWTD are expected to lead to a substantial increase in production costs for generic medicines, which currently account for 70% of all medicines sold in Europe while only representing 19% of the market value. This disparity highlights the critical role generics play in expanding healthcare access and supporting positive health outcomes for the public.
Saltofte further criticized the lack of transparency in the EU's decision-making process, particularly regarding the methodology and data used by the European Commission to hold only the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries accountable for wastewater treatment costs. He stressed that many partners' concerns remain unaddressed, prompting the necessity of legal action to challenge the directive that threatens the continuous supply of medicines relied upon by the population.
If implemented as is, the directive poses the risk of making numerous medicines economically unviable, consequently removing them from the market and leaving vulnerable populations without critical access to healthcare.
Notably, Zentiva has undertaken steps to decarbonize its operations and has installed its own wastewater treatment facilities within its production sites. The company operates under strict regulations to ensure the quality and safety of its products, and it calls upon the European Commission and member states to reevaluate the directive’s impacts.
Zentiva urges for an urgent dialogue with EU policymakers and stakeholders to forge a balanced and just solution that preserves access to affordable healthcare without compromising the objective of ensuring clean water for all. The company firmly believes that healthcare access should be a right afforded to everyone, not merely a privilege for a select few.
Zentiva has deep roots extending over 500 years, with origins traced back to a small pharmacy in Prague that still thrives today. The company aims to secure a sustainable future, pledging to provide health and wellness for generations to come. With over 5,000 dedicated professionals, Zentiva is committed to ensuring that those in need have reliable access to high-quality, affordable medicines.
With the stakes so high, all eyes will be on the proceedings as Zentiva takes a stand not just for itself but for the healthcare rights of countless individuals across Europe. To learn more about Zentiva and its mission, visit www.zentiva.com.
The UWWTD has recently undergone a significant overhaul by the European Union, aligning it with the European Green Deal and addressing contemporary issues such as micro-pollutants. A pivotal aspect of this directive is the introduction of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system, which mandates the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to finance new treatment processes for removing these micro-pollutants in wastewater treatment plants. However, 16 out of the 27 EU member states have expressed concerns about the directive’s possible repercussions on the availability of medicines in Europe.
Zentiva stands firm against the funding mechanism outlined in the directive, viewing it as an unsustainable financial burden for the pharmaceutical industry, thus jeopardizing the economic viability of essential medicines. Steffen Saltofte, CEO of Zentiva, emphasized the company's commitment to developing high-quality, affordable medicines. He stated, “Europe needs legislation that works. We see this directive as discriminatory and disproportionate.” Saltofte added that clean water is crucial for life and medicine production.
The changes to the UWWTD are expected to lead to a substantial increase in production costs for generic medicines, which currently account for 70% of all medicines sold in Europe while only representing 19% of the market value. This disparity highlights the critical role generics play in expanding healthcare access and supporting positive health outcomes for the public.
Saltofte further criticized the lack of transparency in the EU's decision-making process, particularly regarding the methodology and data used by the European Commission to hold only the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries accountable for wastewater treatment costs. He stressed that many partners' concerns remain unaddressed, prompting the necessity of legal action to challenge the directive that threatens the continuous supply of medicines relied upon by the population.
If implemented as is, the directive poses the risk of making numerous medicines economically unviable, consequently removing them from the market and leaving vulnerable populations without critical access to healthcare.
Notably, Zentiva has undertaken steps to decarbonize its operations and has installed its own wastewater treatment facilities within its production sites. The company operates under strict regulations to ensure the quality and safety of its products, and it calls upon the European Commission and member states to reevaluate the directive’s impacts.
Zentiva urges for an urgent dialogue with EU policymakers and stakeholders to forge a balanced and just solution that preserves access to affordable healthcare without compromising the objective of ensuring clean water for all. The company firmly believes that healthcare access should be a right afforded to everyone, not merely a privilege for a select few.
Zentiva has deep roots extending over 500 years, with origins traced back to a small pharmacy in Prague that still thrives today. The company aims to secure a sustainable future, pledging to provide health and wellness for generations to come. With over 5,000 dedicated professionals, Zentiva is committed to ensuring that those in need have reliable access to high-quality, affordable medicines.
With the stakes so high, all eyes will be on the proceedings as Zentiva takes a stand not just for itself but for the healthcare rights of countless individuals across Europe. To learn more about Zentiva and its mission, visit www.zentiva.com.
Topics Health）
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