Work

Stockpiling of medical countermeasures used in crisis – sustainable solutions for the future

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Issue Europe faces growing uncertainty from multiple recent disruptions - public health crises such as COVID‑19, cross‑border conflicts, and diplomatic frictions. To ensure availability of critical medical countermeasures (MCM) in specific low probability high impact scenarios, preventive public health measures, including MCM stockpiling, must be reinforced. Additionally, the moderate EU economic growth and ongoing climate change underscore the need for cost-effective and sustainable solutions for MCM stockpiling. Description Preparedness, including the stockpiling of MCMs, has traditionally been the responsibility of Member States (MS) within the EU/EEA. Usually, detailed content or existence of MS stockpiles is classified as confidential, leading to a fragmented situational awareness of stockpiling levels in Europe. Consequently, also the private sector typically manufacturing MCMs, currently has a limited insight into demand forecasts, making investment decisions in the EU challenging. Expected results The Joint Action (JA) STOCKPILE is a European initiative bringing countries together to develop MCM stockpiling. The JA will develop solutions for desirable MCM stockpile contents, quantification, geographic layers, sustainability, EU sovereignty and distribution. This JA will further investigate and implement various aspects described in the DG HERA's Common Strategic Approach to Medical Stockpiling and upcoming EU Stockpiling Strategy. The JA also aims to find innovative and novel solutions on the MCM stockpiling. A total of 55 organizations from 25 countries (including four non-EU countries) will participate. Lessons The JA STOCKPILE will start mid-2025 and continue until 2028. The project is implemented under the EU4Health Programme (2021-2027) and coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Outcomes will be published in reports and Standard Operating Procedures. A basic IT-tool to aggregate data from local stockpiles will be developed. Key messages • Europe enhances preparedness for cross-border health threats via coordinated stockpiling. • Joint Action STOCKPILE is a European initiative for sustainable and cost-effective stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

Source: European Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1405

Authors: E Mäki-Lohiluoma, H Kiviranta, MSJ Galla, K Rainer, Y Morel, V Magnusson

Institutions: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Ministry of Health Welfare and Sport, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, National Board of Health and Welfare

Language: English

Topic: Disaster Response and Management

Subfield: Emergency Medical Services

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Partnerships for the goals

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,181