European industry commissioner Stéphane Séjourné is calling for a stronger “European preference” in public procurement, arguing that EU public funding should prioritise production capacity inside the bloc — a shift that could significantly reshape also Europe’s pharmaceutical sector.
- Priority is investment in EU manufacturing capacity to increase autonomy
- “Buy European” approach to support EU production
- Stimulate cross-border procurement
- Over 50% of reported medicine shortages are caused by manufacturing issues
- Covers medicines such as antibiotics, insulin, vaccines, medicines for chronic diseases
The proposal comes as the European Parliament adopts its position on tackling shortages of critical medicines, including antibiotics, insulin, vaccines and treatments for chronic diseases.
More than 50% of reported medicine shortages in the EU are linked to manufacturing problems, often outside Europe, highlighting the bloc’s reliance on third-country production of active substances and finished medicines.
Séjourné argues that whenever European public money is used — through procurement, state aid or other support — it should reinforce EU-based production and quality jobs.
Applied to pharmaceuticals, this would mean favouring suppliers that manufacture a substantial share of critical medicines within the EU, particularly for publicly funded healthcare systems.
The Parliament’s proposals align closely with this approach. MEPs back the creation of EU-based “strategic pharmaceutical projects” to build, modernise and expand manufacturing capacity, with priority access to national and EU funding. Companies receiving public support would be expected to prioritise supply to the EU market in times of disruption.
Procurement reform is central to the plan. Under the Parliament’s position, price alone would no longer determine medicine tenders. Instead, security of supply, resilience of production chains and EU manufacturing capacity would become key criteria — effectively embedding a “Buy European” logic into pharmaceutical procurement.
MEPs also support stronger coordination of national medicine stockpiles and voluntary cross-border procurement, particularly for rare disease medicines, antimicrobials and other high-risk products.
As a last resort, the Commission could be empowered to coordinate redistribution of medicines between member states during acute shortages.
However, Séjourné’s broader “European preference” agenda remains politically sensitive. While France and several large member states see it as essential for rebuilding strategic autonomy, smaller countries warn that strict preference rules could favour larger economies and reduce competition if not carefully designed.
The debate is expected to intensify at the EU leaders’ retreat on competitiveness in Belgium later this month, as governments weigh how far Europe should go in reshaping pharmaceutical supply chains — and how to balance openness with resilience.
What is clear is that after years of shortages, the pharmaceutical sector has become a test case for whether “Made in Europe” can move from political slogan to binding policy.
03.02.2026.
SOURCE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Photo: Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission
