Opening statement by Olivér Várhely, European Commissioner, on the Presentation of the proposal on Critical Medicines Act (CMA), extract from the plenary session of the EP
On 11 March 2025, Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, attended the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. On this occasion, the Commissioner delivered an opening statement on the ‘presentation of the proposal on Critical Medicines Act (CMA)’. The CMA aimed to address the shortage of medicines and ensure the availability and accessibility of critical medicines in the EU. Olivér Várhelyi highlighted the growing problem of medicine shortages, with many EU countries reporting an increase in the number of medicines in short supply. The Commissioner also discussed previous EU actions, including reforms to pharmaceutical legislation and the creation of the CMA. The Act built on these efforts to reduce dependencies, improve supply chains, and strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy in health. Key measures included encouraging investment in EU manufacturing, improving procurement processes, and strengthening international partnerships. Olivér Várhelyi underlined that these steps would have ensured access to affordable medicines and reduced the EU’s dependence on external suppliers, thus securing the medicines supply in the geopolitical context. This video shows his entire opening statement.
