Europe's Medicine Supply at Risk as Production Flees

Europe is losing its ability to make its own medicines. A rapid decline in pharmaceutical manufacturing now threatens the continent's health security. The shift began two decades ago with a steady move of factories out of Europe. That process is now speeding up. Two major forces are driving the change. First, global competition is rising. China and India have become dominant producers of drug ingredients and medicines, often at lower costs. Second, recent U.S. policy has added pressure. Protectionist measures from the Trump administration encouraged drug production to move to North America. This "deindustrialization" means Europe depends more on imports for essential drugs. Experts warn this reliance could lead to shortages and weaken Europe's control over its own medical supply during a crisis. The situation raises urgent questions about the continent's "health sovereignty"—its ability to independently protect public health.