From preparedness to action: A new Handbook for EU Crisis Procurement of Medical Countermeasures

When a health crisis hits, there is little time to work out how to secure the medical countermeasures people need. Knowing what tools are available, how they work and when to use them can make a real difference.

The EU’s framework for procuring the medical countermeasures to address a crisis has evolved significantly in recent years. Today, the Commission and Member States have several procurement tools at their disposal, drawing on experience from using them in real situations.

The COVID-19 pandemic was an important part of that learning process. During the pandemic, the Commission and Member States developed a collective approach to procuring COVID-19 vaccines. Since then, the framework has developed further, with new tools and mechanisms available for future emergencies.

With these developments in mind, the European Commission, through DG HERA, has prepared a Handbook for EU Crisis Procurement of Medical Countermeasures. It brings together the current framework and the experience gained over recent years, helping the Commission and Member States build a common understanding of how EU-level procurement can work.

The aim is practical: to provide a shared starting point from day one of a future crisis. The Handbook explains the three main procurement approaches available at EU level in such a situation:

• the Commission acting as a wholesaler;
• joint procurement and
• procurement by the Commission on behalf of Member States.

It also sets out key considerations when choosing between them.

In a health crisis, EU-level procurement may offer specific advantages which make it an attractive option for Member States. For example. Member States may wish to manage competition between themselves for limited supplies. Combining purchases may enable the EU to leverage its size to improve its negotiating position, or to ensure security of supply. Where, as with COVID-19 vaccines, products are still under development with no guarantee of success, EU-level procurement enables all Member States to benefit from a ‘portfolio approach’.

The next crisis may bring different challenges. With a clear understanding of the approaches available to procure medical countermeasures, the EU and Member States will be better prepared to act when a crisis occurs.