Sandoz CEO warns of European dependence on Chinese antibiotics

Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor has raised concerns regarding Europe's heavy reliance on China for antibiotic supplies, describing the situation as an ‘Achilles heel’ for public health and defense. As one of the last remaining penicillin manufacturers in the West, Sandoz operates the only fully integrated antibiotic manufacturing facility in Europe, located in Kundl, Austria.

Data from Eurostat indicates that China's share of EU imports for penicillins and their derivatives rose from 44% in 2019 to 86% last year, making China the world's largest exporter of antibiotic ingredients. Sandoz warned UK lawmakers that this dependence could allow supply restrictions to be used as a tool for ‘economic coercion or hybrid warfare’ during diplomatic tensions.

The company has also alleged that ‘market-distorting behavior’ allows Chinese manufacturers to undercut competitors by flooding global markets with ultra-cheap ingredients. In May, Sandoz filed a complaint with the European Commission requesting an anti-dumping probe into Chinese imports of the active ingredient used in the antibiotic amoxicillin.