How cheap Chinese antibiotics threaten Europe's last major penicillin plant
Summary
Europe’s last fully integrated penicillin plant in Kundl, Austria is under pressure from cheap Chinese antibiotics and ingredients that are undercutting local production. Sandoz has asked the European Commission for an anti-dumping probe, warning that Europe could become fully dependent on China for critical medicines.
Key Points
- Sandoz says its Kundl, Austria plant is no longer commercially sustainable without higher medicine prices or government support.
- China’s share of EU imports of penicillins and derivatives has surged, intensifying fears over Europe’s dependence on a single supply source.
- The company has asked the European Commission to launch an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese amoxicillin APIs.
- European policymakers are weighing whether to protect strategic pharmaceutical production despite the higher cost of domestic supply.
