Structural vulnerabilities in global antibiotic supply chains risk Europe’s pharmaceutical sovereignty
Original framing: “Sandoz warns cheap Chinese imports threaten Europe’s antibiotic supply” — Financial Times
Scientific evidence shows that antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat, exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human and animal sectors. However, the scientific community has long warned that supply chain vulnerabilities increase the risk of drug shortages and resistance. The current crisis is not just a market issue but a public health emergency.
The crisis in Europe’s antibiotic supply is not simply a matter of foreign competition, but a systemic failure rooted in decades of deindustrialization, neoliberal trade policies, and the erosion of public health infrastructure.
By examining the historical patterns of industrial decline, cross-cultural models of pharmaceutical sovereignty, and the voices of marginalized communities, a more holistic response emerges. Indigenous knowledge systems and decentralized production models offer alternative pathways to health security, while scientific evidence underscores the urgency of action. To address this crisis, Europe must move beyond the false narrative of Chinese imports as the enemy and instead invest in domestic capacity, regulatory reform, and inclusive governance. This requires a reimagining of health as a public good, not a corporate asset, and a recognition that sovereignty in medicine is inseparable from sovereignty in policy.