Inside EU Health: Tariff chaos, court setback on Urban Wastewater for pharma; EMA starts its search for a new Executive Director
‘Tariff chaos’ but pharmaceuticals may stay outside the fray; industry groups continue to fight Wastewater Treatment Directive despite court setback; EMA starts its search for a new Executive Director
‘Tariff chaos’, but pharmaceuticals may stay outside the fray
Following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), President Trump has decided to impose a 15% tariff on goods entering the US.
Trump said that exceptions were allowed under section 122 and that his advisors had “opined” that certain products should not be subject to the surcharge, including pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.
The new measures rely on Section 122 of the 1974 US Trade Act, which allows temporary tariffs to address serious balance-of-payments deficits, and can only be extended beyond 150 days with the approval of the US Congress.
Catherine Feore
Industry groups continue to fight the Wastewater Treatment Directive despite court setback
Europe’s pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries say they will continue challenging the EU’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) after the EU’s General Court dismissed their cases on procedural grounds without examining the substance.
EFPIA said the decision has left important questions unresolved. The association argues the directive’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme breaches EU law by imposing disproportionate costs on pharmaceuticals and cosmetics companies. “The polluter pays principle must be applied in a fair, evidence-based and legally sound manner,” EFPIA said.
Cosmetics Europe likewise said the ruling leaves unanswered “fundamental questions regarding the legality and fairness” of the system, which it claims “unfairly attributes” wastewater upgrade costs to only two sectors.
Both associations expressed optimism that separate cases being brought by the Polish government and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association could still reassess the directive’s proportionality and fairness.
Catherine Feore
EMA starts its search for a new Executive Director
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published the vacancy notice for its next Executive Director, marking the start of the recruitment process to replace Emer Cooke, who steps down on 30 April 2027.
The appointment will be made by EMA’s Management Board from a shortlist prepared by the European Commission. Applications are open until 19 March.
The agency has an annual budget of approximately €600 million and a workforce of around 900 staff members. EMA plays a central role in the regulation and supervision of medicines across the European Union.
The next Executive Director will be responsible for guiding the Agency through its next phase of development and implementing large parts of the recently agreed Pharma Package. There will be ever-greater pressure to streamline and accelerate processes while maintaining safety standards.