The generics giant Sandoz has formally urged the European Union to investigate alleged dumping of Chinese pharmaceutical products, warning that state-subsidized overcapacity is undermining European self-reliance. The Novartis spin-off argues this distorts competition and jeopardizes access to essential medicines, particularly a key antibiotic.

European officials face mounting pressure to shield domestic manufacturing from what industry leaders call predatory pricing. Sandoz's intervention highlights growing anxiety that reliance on foreign output could cripple pandemic preparedness and erode strategic autonomy in critical healthcare sectors.

A formal probe could lead to tariffs, but risks retaliation from Beijing. The outcome will signal how aggressively Brussels defends its industrial base against subsidized imports, with major implications for drug pricing and supply chain security across the continent.