The European Commission welcomes the swift adoption by the
Council of the proposals to ensure the continued long-term supply
of medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and to
address outstanding supply concerns in Cyprus, Ireland and Malta
– markets that have been historically supplied through or by
Great Britain.
Today's adoption follows last week's positive vote in the
European Parliament. The proposals were put forward by the
Commission last December, following
its extensive engagement with citizens, industry and other
business representatives in the EU and the UK, in addition to
extensive talks with the UK government to find this long-lasting
solution.
Welcoming this adoption,
Vice-President Šefčovič said: “During
my visit to Northern Ireland last autumn, I promised to do
whatever it takes to ensure the continued supply of medicines to
Northern Ireland. We now have a lasting solution, which was
delivered in record time. I will continue to work closely with
the UK government to ensure predictability, legal certainty, and
the prosperity of all communities in Northern Ireland.”
Commissioner for Health and Food Safety,
Stella Kyriakides, said: “The
continuous supply of medicines is essential for hundreds of
thousands of patients in Northern Ireland - as well as Cyprus*,
Ireland and Malta, whose markets are historically dependent on
medicines from the UK. We have now fulfilled our commitment to
find a solution to ensure that all citizens can continue to get
the medicines they need, at all times. I welcome this swift
agreement by the European Parliament and Council.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that having strong supply chains
and access to medicines at all times, so that health systems
operate seamlessly, is of paramount importance.
Next steps for Cyprus, Ireland and Malta:
For Cyprus, Ireland and Malta, the rules endorsed by the European
Parliament and the Council provide a temporary derogation so that
they can continue to source medicines from the United Kingdom
only if needed. The Directive and Regulation apply retroactively
from 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2022 respectively. It is
expected that within three years, until 31 December 2024, these
markets will gradually phase out the temporary derogations and
decrease the dependency of their domestic markets on the supply
with medicinal products from or through parts of the United
Kingdom other than Northern Ireland.
In addition, at the end of this year, the Commission will make
proposals to revise the EU's pharmaceutical legislation. These
proposals will seek to provide longer-term structural solutions,
in particular, to the issue of access to medicines, with special
attention to enhancing security of supply and addressing risks of
shortages in the smaller markets of the Union.
Background:
Today's solution is part of the Commission's
package of far-reaching
measures proposed in October 2021 to respond to the
difficulties that people in Northern Ireland have been
experiencing because of Brexit.
More information on the new rules:
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