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Today the European Commission published its Critical Medicines Act which is set to tackle shortages by addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, including through diversification and international partnerships. BEUC considers the proposal goes in the right direction tackling shortages but should go further to ensure consumers pay a fair price.
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During a health crisis, having timely access to effective medicines can be a matter of life or death. When a company does not have enough production capacity, or because it charges unaffordable prices for a patented vaccine or treatment, issuing an EU-wide compulsory license for that medicine can allow other companies to manufacture it. The biggest advantage this would procure is to give EU citizens greater access to essential medicines or medical devices. To ensure swift and effective responses during a health crisis, the process for granting a compulsory license cannot be overcomplicated or contain bottlenecks.