Resilient Europe: Smart Investments in Life-Saving Medical Countermeasures and Stockpiling
- Laurent Bächler
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Pour Demain, in collaboration with Blueprint Biosecurity and RAND Europe, has submitted feedback to two critical EU consultations: the new EU Stockpiling Strategy and the Strategy to Support Medical Countermeasures against Public Health Threats.
Key recommendation: Pathogen-Agnostic Solutions
Our submissions focus on broad-spectrum countermeasures against respiratory diseases. These solutions protect against multiple respiratory pathogens, during both seasonal illness periods and potential larger outbreaks.
Reusable Respiratory Protection: We recommend stockpiling elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) for the EU's estimated 58 million critical workers. At approximately €20 per unit, these respirators create a better seal than disposable alternatives and are more cost-effective than purchasing hundreds of euros worth of disposable FFP2 masks per worker during an outbreak.
Decontamination Technologies: Our submissions highlight three promising technologies:
far-UVC lighting (222nm) that can inactivate pathogens at human-safe doses,
glycol vapors that can be distributed without specialized equipment, and
portable air filters that can remove pathogens from indoor environments.
Research indicates these technologies could complement pathogen-specific countermeasures (like vaccines) by helping reduce both endemic respiratory diseases like seasonal influenza and providing protection during epidemics and pandemics.
EU Manufacturing Capacity: To reduce dependency on non-EU suppliers, we recommend investing in European EHMR manufacturing capabilities that could be rapidly scaled during crises while supporting EU industrial resilience.
Coordinated Approach: Our submissions emphasize that COVID-19 demonstrated how uncoordinated national stockpiling led to competition between Member States. A harmonized EU strategy with centralized inventory tracking would prevent resource hoarding and ensure efficient allocation.
Robust Monitoring Systems: We recommend implementing monitoring systems to anticipate and mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Join the conversation – Deadline May 9th!
Your expertise matters: The EU is accepting feedback on these crucial health security initiatives until May 9th. Join the conversation to help build a more resilient Europe.
Consultation links:
Access Our Full Submissions
Our complete submissions are available for download:
EU Medical Countermeasures Strategy Feedback - Download:
EU Stockpiling Strategy Feedback - Download:
Blueprint Biosecurity and Pour Demain stand ready to provide additional expertise and evidence-based insights as these important strategies develop.
For questions or to request a more detailed briefing, please contact Laurent Bächler, Program Lead Biosecurity at Pour Demain: laurent.baechler@pourdemain.eu.
