Speaking at Sandoz’s event marking 80 years of antibiotic production in Kundl, Austria, Várhelyi highlighted the importance of ensuring equitable access, affordability, secure supply chains, and resilience against pandemics, supply disruptions, and antimicrobial resistance.
Antibiotics are truly the backbone of modern medicine. They treat infections, reduce deaths and disease, and make many other medical procedures possible — from organ transplants to cancer treatments.
Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare at the European Commission
He noted that the EU is working to strengthen antibiotic production and increase the manufacturing of essential medicines in Europe through the revised pharmaceutical legislation and the Critical Medicines Act.
As Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi’s task is to complete the European Health Union. He will do this by diversifying supply chains, improving access to the most advanced treatments, boosting the competitiveness, resilience and security of health systems and working on strategic inventories.
He is also tasked with building on the One Health approach, which recognises the connection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. But they do not work for everything, UK’s NHS warns.
Many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics.
When it comes to antibiotics, take your doctor’s advice on whether you need them or not. Antibiotic resistance is a big problem – taking antibiotics when you do not need them can mean they will not work for you in the future.
Antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections that:
- are unlikely to clear up without antibiotics
- could take too long to clear without treatment
- carry a risk of more serious complications
- could infect others
You may still be infectious after starting a course of antibiotics. Depending on the infection and how it’s treated, it can take between 48 hours and 14 days to stop being infectious. Ask a GP or pharmacist for advice.
People at a high risk of infection may also be given antibiotics as a precaution, known as antibiotic prophylaxis.
Tell your healthcare professional if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding so they can prescribe the most suitable antibiotic for you.
Only ever take antibiotics prescribed for you – never “borrow” them from a friend or family member.
Read the information leaflet that comes with your medicine carefully and discuss any concerns with your pharmacist or GP.
01.06.2026.
