Wastewater fees could squeeze cheaper-medicine supplies, Swedish agencies warn
New wastewater-treatment charges could put supplies of some lower-priced medicines at risk in Sweden, even though the medicine market overall should be able to absorb the costs, two agencies warn.
The dental and medicines benefits agency, TLV, and the Medical Products Agency published their joint assessment on Thursday. They examined EU rules requiring pharmaceutical and cosmetics producers to help fund advanced wastewater treatment.
Their analysis found that a small number of medicines and companies could bear a large share of the costs. For some suppliers, that could affect their willingness to keep products on the Swedish market.
The greatest availability risk lies in periodens vara, the system through which pharmacies offer the lowest-priced interchangeable medicines. Many products facing a large share of the costs are sold within that system, where companies have limited room to raise prices.
The report identifies a risk, not an existing shortage or a confirmed withdrawal. Important details of the producer-responsibility scheme remain uncertain.
The agencies recommend investigating targeted measures to protect vulnerable market segments. Their final report is due on 31 March 2027.
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