EU Boosts Crisis Stockpiles, Medical Readiness

The European Union has launched its first comprehensive stockpiling and medical countermeasures strategies to strengthen crisis readiness for events such as pandemics, military conflicts, and natural disasters. The plan includes creating EU-level stockpiles of essential goods, coordinating inventories among member states, and developing priority lists for critical resources. The EU will double the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) fund to €200 million by 2027 and launch a Medical Countermeasures Accelerator to support health technology innovation. Collaboration with NATO on dual-use medical supplies and centralized purchasing for critical raw materials are key aspects. The strategy also introduces a wastewater monitoring system for early disease detection and regular updates to stockpile lists to address varying regional risks. By 2026, the EU aims to establish new roadmaps and hubs for diagnostics and therapeutics to further enhance preparedness.