EC stops proceedings against Slovakia

The European Commission has terminated proceedings against three countries - Slovakia, Romania and Poland - regarding measures taken by these countries in order to stop re-exporting medicines. This decision is based on the need to synchronise the free movement of goods with citizens' right to health care access. As the same time, the Commission finds that the measures against the lack of drugs are legitimate since the shortage can have a negative impact on the health of citizens. The Slovak Health Ministry welcomes this decision of the European Commission. "Despite the fact that there is the free movement of goods in the EU, we have to secure a sufficient amount of medicines which our patients need," reads the Ministry's statement naming access to treatment for Slovak patients its priority. In the past, Slovakia has faced problems due to the lack of drugs as the result of speculative exports abroad.