Cyprus concludes EU presidency with focus on healthcare and critical medicines

On June 16, 2026, the Cypriot Minister of Health, Neofytos Charalambidis, announced the conclusion of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU during a session in Luxembourg. The Council of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs discussed pharmaceutical resilience and the European Biotech Act. The primary achievement noted was the provisional agreement on the Critical Medicines Act, reached on May 12 with the European Parliament. This act aims to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, diversify sourcing, and facilitate joint procurement. Additionally, the legislation seeks to boost European manufacturing capacity for essential medicines and active substances. Minister Charalambidis thanked Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi and Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib for their cooperation. The Presidency emphasized its goal of strengthening the European social and health model amidst technological, demographic, and geopolitical challenges.