Legislation (Pharmaceuticals & Health services)

The Official Journal (EUR-Lex)

• Competition
• Consumers
• Internal Market
• Public health
• Research and innovation

Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs)

IPCEIs are part of the State aid guidelines that emerged from the State aid Modernisation procedure of 2012. IPCEIs may represent a very important contribution to economic growth, jobs and competitiveness for the Union industry and economy. IPCEIs make it possible to bring together knowledge, expertise, financial resources and economic actors throughout the Union.

The Launch of an IPCEI on Health was announced during the Ministerial Conference “Towards an Independent, Competitive and Innovative European Healthcare Sector” and it was published on 3^rd March 2022.

The State Aid Temporary Framework

The State aid Temporary Framework and public support of research, testing and production of products relevant to fighting the Coronavirus outbreak was adopted on 19^th March 2020 to enable Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. On 3rd April 2020, the first amendment to the Temporary Framework increased the possibilities for public support for research, testing and production of products relevant to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

• First Amendment to the Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
  (OJ C 112I, 4.4.2020, p. 1–9)
• Press release (03.04.2020)
• Commission Statement on consulting Member States on the proposal to extend State aid Temporary Framework

State aid rules in the context of the Critical Medicines Act

The Guidance on the application of State aid rules in the context of the Critical Medicines Act was published on 11^th March 2025 to provide explanations and illustrations on how Strategic Projects as defined in the Critical Medicines Act proposal, can receive financial support from Member States whilst complying with State aid rules. This guidance may also apply to other projects pursuing similar objectives of security of supply for instance before the Critical Medicines Act is adopted. As this guidance reflects the state of the art at the time of its drafting, it should be regarded as a 'living tool' and the guidance may be updated to reflect potential new market and/or legal developments.