##  [Critical Medicines Act](/about/novartis-and-european-union/critical-medicines-act "Critical Medicines Act")

 The EU **Critical Medicines Act (CMA)** is a key opportunity to strengthen Europe’s resilience to medicine shortages and reinforce supply security across Member States.

Shortages can disrupt patient care and place growing pressure on healthcare systems. A more coordinated and forward-looking European approach can help address supply chain vulnerabilities while maintaining an environment that supports pharmaceutical innovation.

**Novartis supports policy approaches under the Critical Medicines Act that could:**

- Strengthen coordination across Europe to anticipate, manage and prevent shortages of critical medicines
- Apply proportionate, objective, and flexible criteria that support appropriate regional capabilities and reliable global supply chains
- Improve the resilience and security of medicine supply chains
- Address identified vulnerabilities through proportionate measures that avoid unnecessary barriers to competition, investment or supplier participation
- Preserve a strong environment for biopharmaceutical innovation
- Keep patient access at the center of policy decisions