Critical Generic Medications Dominated by Single Manufacturers

Generic medications play a pivotal role in ensuring access to healthcare. A recent study by Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe reveals that 46% of the generics listed as critical in the EU are supplied by only one manufacturer. Furthermore, when examining suppliers with over a 60% market share, this figure rises dramatically to 83%.

The study indicates that the consolidation of the market for critical generics is advancing three times faster compared to other types of generics. This trend poses a significant risk to the security of medication supply within Europe.

Teva's press release emphasizes the necessity for a diversified supply chain involving multiple manufacturers to secure a stable provision of essential medications. However, the findings show that many critical generics, particularly in fields like cardiology, oncology, mental health, and antibiotics, are not meeting this requirement.

The ongoing consolidation of suppliers and the withdrawal of critical generics from the market further exacerbate this uncertainty. Recent years have seen this trend intensify due to geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and new regulatory demands, all of which threaten patient care substantially.

In contrast to the rising prices of other consumer goods, the average prices for prescription generics have decreased by nearly 8% over the past decade, according to Teva. The lack of pricing flexibility, coupled with increasing regulatory and ecological requirements, jeopardizes the economic viability of crucial generics. This situation forces manufacturers to withdraw products from the market and limits investments in expanding production capabilities.

Teva's Senior Vice President underscores the importance of reliable access to affordable, high-quality treatments for patients, stating that the ongoing market consolidation and the discontinuation of essential medications complicate this access. To safeguard patient care and ensure the sustainability of European healthcare systems, it is critical to alleviate the pressures on generic manufacturers.

To enhance the availability of generics, Teva proposes three key measures:

1. Develop a large-scale European Solidarity Mechanism to redistribute existing market stocks, thereby addressing national shortages more effectively.
2. Ensure the economic viability of critical generics through systematic multi-winner procurement processes that consider various criteria, aiming to select offers that provide the greatest benefit to the European healthcare system rather than simply the lowest bid.
3. Strengthen the competitiveness and capacity of European manufacturers of critical pharmaceuticals through flexible financing systems that expedite the approval of strategic investments and support innovations in production.