The Council of Health Ministers of the Member States held in Luxembourg was attended by Adonis Georgiades, among other things, where he pointed out that access to medicines is now a question of strategic autonomy, resilience and European security.

In particular, among the issues discussed in the Council were the amendment of the Directives on the placing on the market of genetically modified micro-organisms in the European Union and their use in the processing of compact instruments ( Biotech I Directive), the exchange of views on the Regulation on the European Act I on Biotechnology and how it can strengthen health biotechnology in the EU.

The progress made in the negotiations on the Regulation amending Regulations 745 & 746/2027 on medical and in vitro diagnostic products was also explored, and the policy on the 'Enhancing Europe's pharmaceutical resilience and strategic autonomy' policy was also discussed.

Participation of Health Minister Adoni Georgiades in the Council of EU Health Ministers in Luxembourghttps://t.co/DaOMQ7HTow pic.twitter. Com/1YFrwlhRoL— Ministry of Health (@YpYgGR) June 16, 2026

The Cyprus Presidency strengthened the provisions on transplant processing
In his interventions the Minister of Health supported the Council's general approach to the Directive ( Biotech Directive) I) stressing that the Cyprus Presidency reinforced the provisions in particular on the subject of transplant processing.

Regarding the Regulation on the strengthening of Biotechnology and Biotechnology in the Union, he stressed that Greece considers the European Biotechnology Act a key strategic initiative to strengthen European leadership in biotechnology and bioproduction in the field of health. "At a time of increasing global competition, biotechnology is not only a driving force for growth and innovation, but also a crucial pillar of Europe's health security, resilience and strategic autonomy." At the same time, he explained that while Europe still excels in scientific research and faces a persistent gap between scientific excellence and commercial success, with many innovations eventually developing, manufacturing and marketing outside the Union.

The new legislation must help reverse this trend, stressing that the European biotechnology act is a unique opportunity to strengthen Europe's global competitiveness while ensuring that scientific and technological progress delivers tangible benefits for patients and citizens.

In order to achieve this objective, the Regulation should cover the entire value chain of biotechnology from research and clinical development to manufacturing, market development and patient access. Europe must become a place where innovative companies can grow, invest and build, while ensuring that patients benefit faster from cutting-edge technologies.

Actions at three main pillars
In this context, actions are proposed at three key pillars as the Minister of Health said:

Firstly, regulatory simplification must produce tangible results. On the basis of initiatives such as FAST-EU and COMBINE, the act should establish faster, more predictable and better coordinated procedures for clinical trials and product development across the Union. Reducing the unnecessary administrative burden while ensuring operational sustainability for competent authorities and ethics committees will enhance Europe's attractiveness for research and innovation.

Secondly, Europe must address its structural weaknesses in terms of financing escalation and industrial development. Stronger support for financing at a later stage, strategic investments and advanced bioproduction infrastructure is necessary to help innovative companies stay and develop within the Union. At the same time, we must seize the opportunity to create a stronger bioequity sector.

Thirdly, the framework for strategic projects should focus on technologies that face uncovered medical needs, strengthen security of supply and strengthen Europe's long-term competitiveness.

Finally, the Minister reiterated that the success of the European biotechnology act should ultimately be measured by the impact on patients' health, stressing that real innovation is the innovation that reaches patients and improves their clinical results.

With regard to the proposed amendments to Regulations 745 & 746/2017 on medical and in vitro diagnostic products, it reiterated that the improved framework, which will remove the failures of the previous, should be agreed and adopted as soon as possible, maintaining high levels of quality and safety, in order to ensure the seamless supply on the market.

Strategic autonomy, resilience and European security
During the lunch debate, Mr Georgiadis recalled that he considered that access to medicines was now a question of strategic autonomy, resilience and European security. It considers that the EU's main priorities are: is the strengthening of European pharmaceutical production, diversification of supply chains and effective implementation of the Critical Medicines Act and revised Pharmaceutical Legislation. At the same time, he pointed out that resilience should be accompanied by sustainable access to innovation, and that the HTA Regulation can contribute substantially to faster access for patients to new, clinically effective and affordable treatments, while developments in pricing policies require close European monitoring, evaluation and coordination. It supported the strengthening of voluntary cooperation between Member States and the maintenance of the issue of pharmaceutical resilience high on the European political agenda. Finally, he proposed that he be constantly discussed at the forthcoming Councils of Health Ministers.

Furthermore, the Minister of Health reiterated that Article 9 of the Urban Waste water Directive cannot be applied as it stands before we have a clear picture of the effects on the pharmaceutical sector and patient safety, calling for immediate measures.

On the margins of the Council of Health Ministers, accompanied by Gen. Secretary of Strategic Planning, the Minister of Health Mr Georgiadis met bilaterally with the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Mrs Lahbib, where he was informed of the actions of the European Commission on tackling the outbreak of Ebola in Central Africa. From his point of view, the Minister confirmed Greece's support for the work of HERA and was informed that the country's process of participation in joint procurement of medicinal products by the European Commission was recently instituted.