Activities of Agnes JONGERIUS related to 2020/2071(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on shortage of medicines – how to address an emerging problem
Amendments (17)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in the starkest possible terms the vital role played by functioning global supply chains for medical products, and in particular for medicines; emphasises that the implementation of an open, rules- based trading system is fundamental to ensuring the global availability of medicines and that our vulnerability is not repeated in future emergencies;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in the starkest possible terms the vital role played by functioning global supply chains for medical products, and in particular for medicines; emphasises that an fair, open, rules-based trading system is fundamental to ensuring the global availability of medicines;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries for a large proportion of its imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can pose a risk when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long-term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in healthand Member States to take the necessary legislative measures, policies and incentives to encourage the production of essential APIs and medicines in Europe to guarantee supply at all times and reduce supply dependence from third countries;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries for a large proportion of its imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can pose a risk when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long-term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in health, and the diversification of its supply chains;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecognisDeplores that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries for a large proportion of its imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can poses a risk in times of crises, when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long- term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in health, strengthening the European production of essential medicines;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Underlines that a complete repatriation of medical supply chains is not possible in a global economy; urges the Commission and the Member States to work with the EU’s partners, the WHO and WTO, on establishing an international framework that can prevent the breakdown of supply chains i.a. by establishing a global catalogue of essential emergency healthcare products in order to limit the resort to protectionist measures;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the EU is a leading global exporter of pharmaceutical products; notes that the protection and enforcement of IP rights in free trade agreements (FTAs) and at the WTO is crucial to the development of new medicines and treatments; underlines that the flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement canshould be used to address potential supply shortages in exceptional circumstances;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that a broad network of fair and well implemented FTAs together with a functioning multilateral trading system constitute the best way of guaranteeing that multiple sources of manufacturing for essential medicines are available and regulatory standards converge globally;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that the whole world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, as no available medication that can fight the disease has been found yet; calls upon the Commission to coordinate with the WTO and the WHO that all countries, and in particular the developing countries, have equal access in case of any breakthrough drugs; encourages all member states to make efforts to establish a pool of patent rights for COVID-19 technologies at the WHO;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that a complete repatriation of all medical supply chains is not possible in a global economy; urges the Commission and the Member States to work with the EU’s partners, the WHO and WTO, on establishing an international framework that can prevent the breakdown of supply chains and limit resort to protectionist measures during health crises.
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls upon the Commission and the Member States to make sure that there is a constant and reliable supply of medical products; stresses that the development of medical products has to be in line with the international standards of human rights, in compliance with the Paris agreement, and that labour rights are in compliance with the ILO conventions; calls on the Commission that to maintain a level playing field in the internal market a common European approach for binding supply chain law is urgently needed;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Highlights the importance that the European Commission takes all necessary measures to combat speculation, fraud and price abuses in the trade of essential medical substances;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Emphasises the importance of European safety standards for medical products; urges the Commission to check medical products entering our internal market that they uphold to the European safety standards; calls upon the Commission to ensure that consumer protection is prioritised in the WTO negotiations on e-commerce in negotiation;
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Calls on the Commission to exercise leadership at global level to ensure that developing countries have guaranteed access to and supply of essential medicines, especially in emergencies;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Stresses the importance of ensuring universal access to vaccines and medical treatment, especially in cases of emergency and for new diseases for which no treatment exists, as in the case of Covid-19; urges a close collaboration between the WHO and the WTO to ensure the supply of the vaccine once it is found; at the same time, calls on the Commission to strengthen its mechanisms for the joint procurement of medicines in order to guarantee universal access to treatment for all citizens regardless of their place of residence.