Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus MEP Michalis Hadjipantela secured European Parliament approval for changes aimed at lowering medicine costs and addressing shortages by reducing the number of EU countries needed to trigger bulk purchasing. Other Cyprus MEPs also commented on the Mercosur trade deal and references to the Turkish occupation in Cyprus.
Threshold lowered for EU bulk medicines purchases
Hadjipantela, a former Health Minister, drove a European People’s Party proposal through Parliament that reduces the threshold for triggering European Commission offers for bulk medicines purchases to five countries expressing interest, down from the original requirement of nine.
The proposal is intended to open the door to a common EU medicines market, with the aim of cutting drug costs and tackling shortages, including those experienced in Cyprus. The plan also предусматривает that medicines will be sent from other EU countries during shortages.
“You understand how important this is for our country,” Hadjipantela told journalists during a press briefing, calling Parliament’s approval “a substantial step for protecting public health, strengthening European solidarity and ensuring that no European citizen will lack necessary pharmaceutical treatment.”
He said common medicines procurement had been his priority as Health Minister and was now being delivered at European level.
Mercosur legal challenge and provisional application
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou said the Commission showed a lack of democratic legitimacy and that the path is now open for referral to the European Court of Justice, after his Left group backed a court challenge to the Mercosur trade deal.
Asked about implementation, he said: “Clearly it will be applied provisionally, pending the court’s decision.” He added that if the court rules positively, the group will vote for it, but if negatively, “it will have to renegotiate with Mercosur.”
Georgiou criticised the lack of dialogue with farming organisations before the agreement was signed, and said it raises questions about standards and health. “It would be more democratic not to apply the agreement,” he said, “but it won’t wait.”
Mavrides raises Cyprus issue with EU High Representative
DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides challenged EU High Representative Kaja Kallas over her refusal to mention the Turkish occupation of EU territory in Cyprus.
What impact do you expect the lower threshold for EU bulk medicines purchases to have on drug availability and prices in Cyprus?
