PRESS RELEASE
New EU joint action to improve integrated and sustainable strategic stockpiles of medical suppliesίmeasures used in times of crisis
On 9-10 September 2025, participants from 31 European authorities and 23 organisations from 25 countries participated in Helsinki, Finland, at the inaugural working meeting of the Joint Action JA STOCKPILE.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for the European Union, exposing shortages of medical supplies, weaknesses in crisis management and a lack of coordinated responses across EU member states. Differences in testing, vaccination and border measures have highlighted fragmented approaches, while delays, misinformation and weak health systems have exacerbated the impact. In addition, the war in Ukraine, nuclear risks and extreme conditions caused by climate change have further reinforced the need for stronger EU health and security strategies.
In response, the new EU Joint Action on Integrated and Sustainable Strategic Stockpiles of Medical Countermeasures (JA Stockpile) aims to improve preparedness for serious cross-border health threats. The aim is to prepare countries to have more sustainable stockpiles of Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) for faster distribution, better deployment and disposal, improved cooperation between Member States and enhanced European independence in times of crisis.
The project builds on lessons learned from health crises and seeks to develop a coordinated, multi-level stockpiling system. The stockpiling concept will be assessed and further developed, not only to determine the quantity and availability of stocks, but also to enhance sustainable management, ensure the rapid development and use of MCMs, and facilitate their effective exploitation within the European Union and globally.
The project objectives are fully aligned with the European Health Union framework, the “One Health” approach and the EU Global Health Strategy. Furthermore, it directly contributes to the practical implementation of the EU Strategy for Strategic Stockpiles and Medical Countermeasures (July 2025).
Overall, the project will support the functioning of the European governance framework for crisis management and aims to strengthen emergency preparedness through improved stockpiles and health security.
The project involves 25 EU countries and 54 organisations, which will implement it within the framework of the EU4Health Programme. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is the project coordinator, working closely with relevant European and international authorities (e.g. HERA, ECHO, ECDC, EMA, WHO).
For Greece
The Ministry of Health (MoH-GR) through the General Secretariat for Strategic Planning operates as the beneficiary for Greece in the JA STOCKPILE project, having the overall responsibility for it for the country and for the participation of the Greek associated bodies which are the National Medicines Organization (EOF) as well as the 3rd Health Region (3rd YPE).
The Ministry of Health oversees the coordination of national activities, ensures compliance with EU4Health regulations and represents Greece in strategic decision-making within the project. The National Medicines Organization (EHO) as an affiliated entity in the project, contributes to the formulation of policies related to Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) within the framework of its responsibilities. Finally, the 3rd Health Region of Macedonia (3rd HRE) as an affiliated entity, contributes to the operational implementation of actions related to the preparedness and development of strategic stocks at regional level.
More specifically, Greece actively participates in work packages (WPs) concerning:
- ensuring smooth project management, coordinating partners, monitoring budget and deliverables and communicating with the EU.
- designing a long-term sustainability plan so that actions can continue after the end of the project, incorporating good practices into national policies.
- the provision of specialized training programs to enhance skills in the management of strategic stocks of medical countermeasures.
- the definition of methods and tools for identifying and quantifying stocks of Medical Countermeasures at EU level.
- the creation of a framework for cooperation between member states for the coordination of national reserves and their effective exchange.
- the development of tools and proposals to improve inventory management, including product shelf life extension and digital tracking.
- preparing procedures for rapid development and deployment of medical countermeasures in times of crisis within and outside the EU.
Through their collaboration, the Ministry of Health, the National Medicines Organization and the 3rd Health Region are strengthening Greece's role in developing a sustainable, coordinated and multi-level system of strategic reserves, contributing to strengthening the health security and preparedness of the European Union in times of crisis.
MANDATORY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The Stockpile project is funded by the European Union and implemented under the EU4Health Programme (2021-2027). The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union, nor the authority that granted the funding are responsible for them.
