This Week in Healthcare — Brussels (#18, 2026)
Critical Medicines Act political agreement; provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese PBTC; CETA Joint Committee to include APIs in mutual recognition; new staff exchange for border controls.
May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Critical Medicines Act political agreement; provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese PBTC; CETA Joint Committee to include APIs in mutual recognition; new staff exchange for border controls.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission welcomes political agreement on Critical Medicines Act
The European Commission welcomed a political agreement reached by the Council and Parliament on the Critical Medicines Act on 11 May 2026. The Act aims to strengthen the EU health sector's resilience by addressing medicine shortages and securing the supply of critical medicines. Key elements include diversification of supply chains, support for pharmaceutical manufacturing within the EU, strategic projects to boost production, contingency stock requirements, and collaborative procurement options for Member States. The Act complements the recently adopted pharmaceutical reform and is subject to formal approval by Parliament and the Council.
Commission strengthens global health security with Global Health Resilience Initiative
On 12 May 2026, the Commission adopted the Global Health Resilience Initiative, setting a strategic framework for EU action in global health prevention and preparedness. The initiative targets five priority areas: effective global health architecture, resilient health systems, preparedness for threats, diversified global supply chains, and societal resilience. The Commission reported that over €6 billion has been mobilised for health investments under the Global Gateway, and implementation of nine flagship measures will begin between 2026 and 2027.
Commission coordinates EU response to Hantavirus outbreak
In response to the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, the Commission coordinated with Member States, the ECDC, and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, as reported on 10 May 2026. The risk to the general population was assessed as very low, and six repatriation flights were executed. The Commission mobilised medical evacuation aircraft, logistics, and protective equipment, and deployed experts to support Spanish authorities. The response drew on mechanisms under Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Provisional anti-dumping duty imposed on Chinese alkyl phosphonic acids
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1045 of 12 May 2026 imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of certain alkyl phosphonic acids and their sodium salts (PBTC) from China. The investigation, initiated following a complaint by Lanxess, found dumping margins up to 219.4%, significant injury to the EU industry, and material price undercutting. Provisional duties apply at company-specific rates and are subject to a security deposit.
CETA Joint Committee: EU position on inclusion of APIs in mutual recognition
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1070 of 5 May 2026 sets the Union's position within the CETA Joint Committee for including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) as medicinal products under paragraph 2 of Annex 1 to the GMP Protocol. The decision follows recommendations from the CETA Joint Sectoral Group and supports mutual recognition of compliance and enforcement programmes for pharmaceuticals with Canada.
Programme for staff exchange on official controls at EU borders
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1023 of 8 May 2026 establishes a three-year programme for the exchange of staff between competent authorities responsible for official controls on animals and goods at EU borders. The initiative, under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, aims to promote best practices and harmonise controls across Member States.
EU Council
Competitiveness Council (Internal market and Industry) to convene 28 May 2026
The upcoming Competitiveness Council (Internal market and Industry) is scheduled for 28 May 2026.
EP Committee Work
SANT Committee: Deal reached on tackling EU shortages of essential medicines
On 12 May 2026, the SANT Committee announced a provisional agreement with the Council on new rules to address shortages of critical medicines in the EU. The agreement covers criteria for setting up industrial strategic projects, procurement rules supporting EU supply diversification, and mechanisms for voluntary collaborative procurements. Rapporteur Tomislav Sokol (EPP, HR) and Chair Adam Jarubas (EPP, PL) emphasised the Act's role in the Pharmaceutical Strategy and strengthening the EU pharmaceutical sector.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. Expert says hantavirus poses no risk 'as long as we contain it': Expert reassures public that hantavirus remains harmless if effective containment measures are maintained.
- Video. Hungarian roads may be contaminated with asbestos: Authorities warn of potential health risks after reports suggest asbestos contamination on Hungarian roadways.
- What is hantavirus, and how is it transmitted? Questions and answers about the outbreak: Health officials address rising concerns by explaining hantavirus transmission routes and symptoms amid a growing outbreak.
- EU pitches international vaccine supply-chain plan, amid hantavirus warnings: EU proposes coordinated global vaccine supply-chain strategy to bolster preparedness against emerging threats like recent hantavirus warnings.
- Hantavirus drives EU push for tighter cross-border health coordination: Rising hantavirus cases prompt EU officials to strengthen collaborative health responses across member states.
