EU negotiators agreed on Tuesday on rules to make it easier to support the production of critical medicines with public funds in a bid to tackle drug shortages.
Representatives of the European Parliament and EU member states said the measures were intended to strengthen the bloc's pharmaceutical supply chains and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
"With today's agreement, we are taking practical action to reduce our vulnerabilities, diversify supply chains and strengthen Europe's capacity to produce critical medicines and their ingredients closer to home," said Cypriot Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides, whose country currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency.
