Fresenius CEO Michael Sen warned that Europe’s heavy dependence on China for key drug ingredients poses a growing risk. He urged the region to rapidly bolster its domestic supply chains to prevent the potential “weaponization” of essential medicines amid escalating global trade tensions.

The alert reflects broader anxieties about supply chain fragility following pandemic disruptions. For major healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies, overreliance on a single geography creates vulnerability to export restrictions or geopolitical disputes, which could disrupt patient care and strain corporate margins.

European governments and industry groups are already discussing measures to diversify sourcing, but building new facilities takes years. Investors will watch for companies like Fresenius to adjust procurement strategies or seek partnerships that reduce exposure to single-country risks.