Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000601/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE)
There are a lot of rules and regulations in the EU to make sure that manufacturers and distributors are transparent about the origin of their products. As a result, it is easy to know where the products we eat or wear come from: everything is written on the label.
However, this requirement for transparency does not extend to the pharmaceutical sector. In fact, laboratories are only required to indicate, on secondary packaging, the name and address of the company placing the product on the market and/or those of the company producing the drug.
This is unclear, and sometimes even misleading for patients: while a drug might be produced in France, its active ingredient could come from a country like India or China. This causes serious problems for consumers in terms of traceability and transparency.
In addition, given that there is a shortage of certain medications and a need for EU independence in medicine production, it would surely be advantageous for consumers to be told the origin of active ingredients, so their buying choices can be better informed, where possible.
Does the Commission intend to take steps to ensure that active ingredients are more traceable?
Submitted: 10.2.2025