The European Union "has not yet found a remedy" for drug shortages, according to a report published Wednesday by the European Court of Auditors, which calls for strengthening the European Medicines Agency.
This audit notably analyzes the record shortages of 2023 and 2024, for antibiotics such as amoxicillin.
The EU has identified the causes of the problem, particularly its vulnerabilities in the supply chain, as a significant part of the production is carried out in Asia.
But the political response of the 27 is not up to scratch, according to the Court.
"Many member states have started stockpiling medicines without consulting each other, which may have exacerbated shortages in some of them," the Luxembourg-based body said.
And while the European Union took a "major step forward" by the end of 2023 by establishing its first list of critical medicines, it has not done enough to "guarantee their availability," according to the report.
The Court of Auditors welcomes the "important coordinating role" of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), but deplores the fact that it is "still not empowered to provide assistance to EU countries outside" of health crises.
And the agency "is not sufficiently informed of shortages to be able to prevent them," the audit said.
The Court reiterates that health falls within the competence of the Member States, and not directly within the European Union. It also regrets the lack of harmonization between the rules that apply to industry in different European countries.
In France, manufacturers must report a shortage "as soon as the risk of stock shortages is known," while in Italy, this must be done "four months before any interruption in supply," according to the report.
The European Court of Auditors also criticises the fragmentation of the European medicines market, which hinders their free movement, for example due to different packaging from one country to another.
Among other recommendations, the report calls on the European Commission to take steps to ensure the prompt reporting of shortages to the European Medicines Agency.
This agency should also "manage a single drug database and reporting platform," advises the Court of Auditors.
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