Markus’ previous experience in Medicines for Europe spans the range of priority topics for our sector, including the EU pharmaceutical legislation, Critical Medicines Act, the industry response to both the war in Ukraine and the global pandemic, as well as ongoing regulatory and digital improvements in health.

Markus outlined the following policy priorities which will shape his mandate:

1. Facilitate sustainable market policies that recognise the full value of the off-patent medicines sector in delivering access.
2. Support and encourage a vibrant off-patent medicines manufacturing sector in Europe.
3. Build a strong environmental, social and governance agenda for medicines with patient access at its core. Of particular concern is the EU Urban Waste Water treatment directive, which threatens the viability of inexpensive yet essential medicines.

Beginning his term as President ad interim, Markus Sieger said: “I am honoured to be taking the role of President ad interim at Medicines for Europe at a crucial time for health policy. My focus will be on helping our industry progress, deliver on our value and vision of helping patients in Europe, securing supply of medicines in Europe and leading the digital and green transformation, with a strong policy framework that is fit for the future. I want to ensure that our companies benefit from opportunities to invest into Europe, meaning bringing new products, new capabilities, development projects or industrial assets. I look forward to working with our health partners in the EU institutions, the health community and the Medicines for Europe members to continue to make our voice heard on key policy issues and deliver the best care for patients in Europe.”

About Markus Sieger, CEO of Polpharma, President Ad Interim at Medicines for Europe

Since 2016, Markus Sieger is the CEO of Polpharma Group, a large regional pharmaceutical group with market leading positions in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region with market leading positions in several markets there and in Central Asia. In 2018 he joined the Executive Committee of Medicines for Europe, and appointed Vice President of the association in 2022. He has been active in emerging markets and industries for over 30 years. During this time, he has focused on building and developing companies in the pharmaceutical, media, fast-moving consumer goods and real estate industries, by managing complex and strategic transactions in the USA, CEE, CIS and Singapore. He has been a member of supervisory boards of private and public companies and is currently  a board member of Rafael Holdings (NYSE:RFL). He is an alumnus of Stanford University Graduate School of Business. In 2025, he was nominated President Ad Interim at Medicines for Europe.

Medicines for Europe

Medicines for Europe represents the generic, biosimilar and value-added medicines industries across Europe. Its vision is to provide sustainable access to high quality medicines, based on 5 important pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability and partnership. Its members directly employ 190,000 people at over 400 manufacturing and 126 R&D sites in Europe and invest up to 17% of their turnover in R&D investment. Medicines for Europe member companies across Europe are both increasing access to medicines and driving improved health outcomes. They play a key role in creating sustainable European healthcare systems by continuing to provide high quality, effective generic medicines, whilst also innovating to create new biosimilar medicines and bringing to market value added medicines, which deliver better health outcomes, greater efficiency and/or improved safety in the hospital setting for patients. For more information, please follow us at www.medicinesforeurope.com and on LinkedIn and X @medicinesforEU.