Europe’s reliance on China for critical pharmaceutical ingredients is deepening, raising serious concerns about geopolitical vulnerability and prompting critical questions for policymakers. A new study commissioned by the Pro Generika association and reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, reveals a deliberate strategy by China to cultivate this dependence and warns of escalating risk.
The association, representing generic drug manufacturers, highlights that geopolitical tensions or Chinese export restrictions could trigger severe supply chain disruptions. Andreas Burkhardt, Chairman of Pro Generika, articulated a stark reality: “We have entered a massive dependence on China. This makes us politically vulnerable”. He further accused China of pursuing its own geopolitical interests, pointing to essential medications for which European production is entirely reliant on Chinese supply. “I wonder how politicians can sleep soundly knowing we are in this situation” he stated.
The initial concerns centered on the generic drug sector, but the trend is now extending to biosimilars – the follow-on versions of complex, biologically engineered pharmaceuticals. This isn’t merely a matter of replication, according to Jasmina Kirchhoff, a co-author and researcher at the Institute of the German Economy (IW) in Cologne. China’s innovation capabilities are demonstrably increasing, with the nation now among the most patent-active research hubs globally.
The reliance, as the study authors emphasize, isn’t limited to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). While APIs are the core therapeutic substance in medication, their production requires precursor materials, such as alkaloids. China’s role in supplying these precursors is even more extensive. David Francas, from the Healthcare Supply Chain Institute and another co-author, cautioned, “The further we go back in the supply chain, the greater the dependence”. He cited examples, like the widely prescribed diabetes medication Metformin, where the crucial precursor is sourced almost exclusively from China.
The study’s findings underscore a critical blind spot in European strategic planning, prompting urgent calls for a fundamental reassessment of pharmaceutical supply chains and a diversification of sourcing, alongside investment in domestic production capabilities, to mitigate the growing geopolitical risk. Failure to address this reliance, experts warn, could have profound implications for public health and European autonomy.