For the last three decades, the availability of cost-effective generic medicines has driven increased access to life-saving treatments for millions of patients in Europe. Today, generic medicines are an integral part of the healthcare system and demand for these products continues to increase worldwide.While increased usage of generic medicines has led to unprecedented savings for healthcare systems, many perspectives on this segment remain focused solely on their cost saving potential. This perception can underplay the range of generic medicine contributions to added societal value. Neglecting these contributions can exacerbate the challenges that healthcare systems are facing today.A case where generic medicines contribute to societal value is by ensuring access, thus helping to reduce disease burden in underserved markets, such as in most Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.The report “Beneath the Surface: Unravelling the True Value of Generic Medicines” presented in this online panel explores the broad spectrum of contributions of generic medicines to European health systems, through an examination of their critical role in increasing access, financial sustainability, supply chain resilience and better outcomes for patients.During this event, panellists and the audience will exchange ideas on:• Creating a regulatory environment that promotes access.• The functioning of national markets in ensuring the availability and sustainability of medicines for patients.• Coordination at European and National levels to mitigate shortages.• Supporting innovation to achieve better health outcomes.