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Special Report                                                                 Special Report


 and hydrocarbons, thereby opening up   EU’s list of critical medicines: Its impact for API
 applications  in areas where ammonia
 or hydrocarbons as single-stage refrige-  manufacturers
 rant would not be applicable.
              he European Commission, the  including  being critical  in more than
 Algae biofuel   Heads  of  Medicines Agencies,  one third of EU/EEA countries.”  PATRICIA VAN ARNUM
 Algae crop  contain 20-25%  oil,   Tand  the  European  Medicines         Editorial Director
 depending  on species.  Algae  biofuel   Agency have published the fi rst version   The list contains active substances   Drug, Chemical & Associated
 is produced from algae crop, which is   of the EU’s list of critical medicines for  of innovator and generic drugs cover-  Technologies Association,Inc. (DCAT)
 used as eco-friendly biofuel. The large   which the EU is prioritizing continuity  ing a wide range of therapeutic areas,  duction  within  the  EU, or adhering
 production  of algae  biofuel  would   of supply. What active pharmaceutical  and includes vaccines and medicines  to  additional regulatory requirements
 reduce use of petroleum fuel and reduce   ingredients made the list, and what is  for rare diseases. It refl ects the outcome  or obligations. Other measures could
 India’s import of crude oil. During the   the impact on API manufacturers?.   of the review of 600 active substances  include investment incentives  and
 production of algae biofuel from algae   taken from six national lists of critical  procurement  approaches with more
 crop, methane (natural gas  ) is pro-  aging, etc. Other areas of application  polymerization of p-phenylenediamine   On December 12, 2023, the  medicines.  The  list  will  be expanded  substantial contractual obligations  for
 duced,  which  can be used for power  include  biomedical  fi eld,  textile/sani-  (PPDA)  and  terephthaloyl chloride.   European  Commission  (EC),  the  in 2024 and will then be updated every  allocation and delivery.
 generation. By fermentation  of bio-  tary products/fabrics. PLA is seen as  Meta-aramid  fi bre  is  produced  from   Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA)  year, according to the EMA.
 mass, ethanol is produced. Commercial  an alternative for polyethylene tereph-  the reaction  of m-phenylenediamine   and the European Medicines Agency   The publication of the list will not
 algae  biofuel plants are in operation  thalate  (PET) due to its mechanical  (MPDA) and isophthaloyl chloride.   published  the  fi rst  version  of  the   The review was carried out with all  impact  existing or to-be-established
 abroad.   properties such as low impact strength,   European Union’s (EU) list of criti-  EU member states, and criticality was  national  lists of critical  medicines,
 hardness, stiffness, and elasticity.   Aramid fi bers have extremely high   cal medicines. It contains more than  assigned based on an agreed methodo-  according to the EMA. However, it will
 Polylactic acid   tensile strength, which is why they are   200 active substances of medicines for  logy developed in consultation with key  support the network’s efforts in draw-
 Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA)   Indian  import  is around 2,360  commonly used in armour and ballistic   human use considered critical for  stakeholder groups, including patients’  ing up national lists where these do not
 is a biodegradable thermoplastic. PLA  tonnes per annum. Global demand is  protection  application. Application   healthcare systems across the EU/  and healthcare professionals’ organisa-  yet exist. In addition,  it will support
 is produced by fermentation of starch.  around 0.5-mt.  sector include optical fi bres, tyre rein-  European Economic Area, for which  tions and industry associations. Medici-  and expedite  the European Commis-
 Being  biodegradable,  PLA can  be   forcement, electrical insulation, rubber   continuity of supply is a priority and  nal product criticality was based on the  sion’s analysis of the supply chain of
 employed in the preparation of loose fi ll  Aramid fi bres   reinforcement,  and ropes & cables..   shortages should be avoided. In its  following two criteria: the therapeutic  critical medicines to determine poten-
 packaging, drinking cups,  salad cups,   Aramid fi bre is a kind of polyamide  Global  demand  for  aramid  fi bres  is   release of December 12, 2023, the  indication  of the medicine;  and the  tial vulnerabilities,  as  announced by
 overwrap, compost bags, food pack-  fi bre.  It  is  produced  by  condensation  about 150,000 tonne per annum.  EMA said that the European medicines  availability of appropriate alternatives.  the European Commission’s com-
       regulatory network will prioritize criti-  Medicines on the list can continue  munication  of October 24, 2023.  The
       cal medicines for EU-wide actions to  to be prescribed and used as usual by  European Commission’s and the EMA’s
 Chemical Weekly Buyers’ Guide
       strengthen their supply chain.    patients and healthcare professionals.  Medicines Shortages Steering Group
 www.cwbg.in                             Additional  reporting  requirements for  (MSSG) may propose measures to
 www.cwbg.in  “The list is an important tool to  marketing authorization  holders and  address vulnerabilities in the supply of
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 for sourcing chemicals and related products.  of critical medicines,” said the EMA in  the EU’s proposed pharmaceutical legi-
 Subscription plans  its December 12, 2023, release. “Inclu-  slation becomes applicable.  Measures that  can be considered
 Plan  Hours of usage  INR*  USD*  sion in the list does not mean that the   (as proposed in the  European Com-
 Plan 25  25  1,500  25  medicine is likely to experience a short-  Critical medicines and the supply   mission’s  Communication) include
 Plan 50  50  2,500  50  Web-Based   age in the near future. It means that the  chain  monitoring requirements, incentives
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 For more information or for a FREE trial contact:  and Trade
       important challenges to health systems.  their  availability,  medicines  identifi ed  supply. There may also be requests for
 Mr. Kiran Iyer   Mr. Abhishek Vora  A medicine is considered critical if it  as critical for public health will receive  input into the assessment of the vulner-
 kiran@chemicalweekly.com abhi@chemicalweekly.com  is used in serious diseases and cannot  particular attention. They will be prio-  ability of the supply chain, which is car-
 Chemicals &  Search & download
 Chemical Weekly Database Pvt. Ltd.  related products /  data on 8,500+   be easily replaced by other medicines,  ritized  for EU-wide policy measures  ried out by the European Commission.
 602-B, Godrej Coliseum, K.J. Somaiya Hospital Road,   Equipment &    Manufacturers /  for example in case of a shortage. It is  to improve  their  security of supply,
 Behind Everard Nagar, Sion (E), Mumbai - 400 022.  Instrumentation /  Dealers / Indentors /  included  in the Union list of critical  including recommendations for diver-  The need to secure the supply of
 Phone: +91-22-24044471  72   Consultants  Merchant Exporters
       medicines if it meets certain criteria,  sifi cation of suppliers, stimulating pro-  medicines across the EU and avoid

 186  Chemical Weekly  January 16, 2024  Chemical Weekly  January 16, 2024                             187


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