German Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) hailed the EU member states’ agreement on the European pharmacy package as a crucial step toward strengthening Europe’s position in the drug‑development arena.
Speaking to the news portal Politico, she noted that the Council’s decision “demonstrates Europe’s capacity to act on the pressing issues of our time” and highlighted that the package is “the most comprehensive reform of European pharmaceutical law in the past 20 years”. She added that it complements efforts to bolster the EU and Germany’s standing and to promote innovations produced “made in Europe and Germany”.
Warken explained that the reform aims to support research, development, and production of medicines within Europe. “The package includes a range of measures that make Europe a far more attractive location for innovative research, development, and manufacturing” she said.
Special attention will be given to improving the framework for certain drug categories. She pointed out that for antibiotics, rare‑disease treatments, and other critical medicines, “the conditions will be markedly improved through reliable documentation and market‑protection mechanisms, as well as economic incentives”.
The minister also underscored the importance of procedural changes: “Without faster approval processes, noticeably less bureaucracy, and more digitization, we cannot sustainably strengthen the European pharmaceutical market”. She emphasized that, for example, approval procedures should be shortened by about 30 days.
Overall, Warken stressed that the EU remains a highly attractive destination for the biopharmaceutical sector, positioning it as an “exceptionally appealing location for biotechnology companies”.
