2024-11-05 11:53:00
The Federal Pharmaceutical Trade Committee of the Austrian Economic Chamber is concerned about the far-reaching consequences of the recently passed EU directive on municipal wastewater treatment. The directive aims to comprehensively improve wastewater treatment and reuse. The core of the planned measures is a fourth purification stage, which is intended to filter micropollutants from the wastewater. However, this new level of purification should be financed at least 80% by the manufacturers of the products in question and thus represents a significant burden for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
The planned implementation could significantly jeopardize the domestic supply of medicines, as the financial burden of the implementation and the ongoing costs could reach three-digit millions annually. “These costs not only lead to a massive burden on our industry, but in the worst case scenario they endanger the security of supply – both in Austria and throughout the EU,” explains Johann Franz Kwizda, chairman of the Federal Pharmaceutical Trade Board. “In doing so, we risk that vital medicines will disappear from the market and that this measure will ultimately harm the patients who depend on the medicines,” warns Kwizda and appeals to politicians: “They can do this in the implementation of the wastewater directive counteract the impending shortage of medicines.”
Although the directive provides for improved water quality, the planned measures could severely impact the competitiveness of Austrian companies in an already challenging global market. Georg Vana, deputy chairman of the Federal Pharmaceutical Trade Committee, criticizes the inadequate application of the Polluter Pays Principle (polluter pays principle) in the directive: “The polluter pays principle is applied here one-sidedly to the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, even though there are numerous other causes of micropollutants who do not pay any costs have to wear. This unbalanced distribution of burdens puts companies at a massive disadvantage. This weakens the companies in the Austrian market, the competitiveness of Austria and that of the entire European Union.”
Christoph Atzmüller, managing director of the federal body, also sees the attractiveness of Austria as a business location under threat. “As a result of the additional burdens, Austria could become significantly less attractive as a location for internationally active pharmaceutical companies. This would not only be problematic for our companies, but also for the population who rely on a stable supply of medicines.”
The federal committee therefore demands that the directive be revised again. “It is urgently necessary for politicians to carefully examine this immature directive and think through a fair implementation, as many essential questions remain unresolved,” said Atzmüller. The distribution of costs must be designed in such a way that a balance between environmental responsibility and economic sustainability is ensured – without endangering the supply of medicines in Austria. (PWK400/DFS)
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**Interview with Johann Franz Kwizda, Chairman of the Federal Pharmaceutical Trade Board**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Mr. Kwizda. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent EU directive on urban wastewater treatment. What are the main concerns of the Austrian pharmaceutical industry regarding this directive?
**Kwizda:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. Our primary concern revolves around the financial implications of the directive, specifically the requirement for our industry to fund at least 80% of the new fourth purification stage aimed at removing micropollutants. This translates into costs that could reach into the hundred million euros annually.
**Interviewer:** That sounds substantial. How do you see these costs impacting the availability of medicines in Austria and the EU?
**Kwizda:** The financial burden is considerable and could threaten the domestic supply of essential medicines. In the worst-case scenario, we risk losing vital medicines from the market, which would have direct consequences for patients who rely on them. This is a critical issue; our industry is already facing challenges, and adding this kind of financial strain could be detrimental.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the implications for patients. Can you elaborate on how this directive might affect them directly?
**Kwizda:** Certainly. If the costs lead to a reduction in the availability of medicines, patients may face shortages of vital treatments. This would be unacceptable. We are urging politicians to carefully consider the implementation of this directive to avoid a situation where the security of supply is compromised.
**Interviewer:** Beyond the immediate impact on supplies, how do you think this directive could affect the competitiveness of Austrian pharmaceutical companies?
**Kwizda:** The added financial burdens mean that we will be at a disadvantage compared to companies in countries with less stringent requirements. This could undermine our competitiveness in the global market, making it more challenging for us to maintain our operations and grow.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you’re calling for a collaborative approach to address these issues. What specific actions are you suggesting to the policymakers?
**Kwizda:** We are asking for dialogue. It’s essential for policymakers to work with our industry to find a balanced approach that ensures both improved water quality and the viability of our local pharmaceutical sector. Together, we can devise solutions that protect public health without compromising the accessibility of medications.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Kwizda, for sharing your insights on this crucial topic. We hope to see a productive discussion between the industry and policymakers in the near future.
**Kwizda:** Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to highlight these important issues.
