The Critical Medicines Act seeks to build resilience in the EU’s pharmaceutical supply chain
In March 2025, the European Commission proposed the Critical Medicines Act (CMA)1 to address growing vulnerabilities in the EU’s pharmaceutical supply chain. The Act aims to improve the availability, supply, and production of critical medicines, including those used to treat rare diseases or those not consistently available across all EU markets.
Building on the work of the European Health Union and complementing broader EU legislative reforms, the CMA signals a decisive shift towards more direct intervention in pharmaceutical supply.
This report examines the European Commission’s motivation for introducing the legislation, outlines the measures proposed under the CMA, and the implications for firms operating in, or exporting to, the EU life sciences market.
