Belgium has succeeded in completing a number of files, setting the wheels in motion for others and laying a solid foundation for the future.
The fact that the Belgian presidency of the EU had such a strong health program is not least thanks to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Frank Vandenbroucke.
In a opinion piece for Euractiv he explained the links between European and national healthcare policies: “Europe must intervene to prevent the implosion of parts of our national healthcare systems. This is not done by replacing national policies, but by creating a supportive ‘holding environment’: that is what a true European Health Union is all about.”
Vandenbroucke is one of the names often heard in the mix for the position of future EU Commissioner for Health. Although he has received general approval from NGOs, he is treated with fear and loathing by some sectors. In particular, there are concerns from some quarters that he will side with those opposed to highly processed foods, alcohol and, of course, tobacco.
The Belgian presidency of the Council coincided with the end of the current legislative cycle. EU health data space and the substances of human origin, SoHO, regulations were sent to a safe landing. The Council also managed to reach a decision agreement on vaccine-preventable cancersbut they could not agree on a recommendation for a smoke-free environment.
The Belgians started the Council’s deliberations on the EU’s pharmaceutical package and arrived at a “stable” text on drug shortages, while leaving open some questions related to the issue. Member States have had their first discussion about “the broad architecture” of incentiveswhich revealed a wide range of opinions at the table.
Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides described the launch of the Critical Medicines Alliance in April as a very important step taken under the Belgian presidency. The Alliance provides a framework to address shortages, without waiting for legislative changes to the pharmaceutical package.
The Belgians also wanted to use their presidency to lay the foundation for the EU’s next political term (2024 – 2029). Hosting and organizing various high-level conferences to discuss all aspects of the European Health Union, from antimicrobial resistance to health determinants.
As Europe looks ahead to a new Commission and Parliament, the latest Health Council conclusions on the future of the European Health Union provide an agreed list of the eight key challenges ahead; medicine shortages, healthcare workforce shortages, prevention of non-communicable diseases, addressing unmet medical needs, combating antimicrobial resistance, developing an EU clinical trial ecosystem, crisis preparedness, a health and climate change agenda , and improving the EU’s implementation tools.
Other news
Innovative health initiative – Call for projects
Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) is launched calls for proposals across eight broad areas, from tackling cardiovascular disease in cities to using ‘big data’ to understand osteoarthritis. The total budget for the call is €96.5 million. Of this, €47.6 million comes from Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme; €40.9 million comes from IHI’s industry members; and €8.1 comes from IHI’s contributing partners. The deadline for short proposals is 10 October 2024.
Doctors Without Borders ends its Access Campaign
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is implementing a new structure that will… Doctors Without Borders access campaign.
“As we undergo this transition, we continue our work and commitment to deliver medicines and urgent healthcare products to the people and communities who are often denied access,” said Dr. Christos Christou, International President of Doctors Without Borders.
The decision has been met with widespread consternation, with more than 100 organisations open letter MSF calls on them to continue the campaign and even expand their efforts.
Reduce the risk of tick-borne encephalitis this summer
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has a warning of the risks of tick-borne encephalitis, especially during the summer months. They recommend wearing long-sleeved protective clothing, using insect repellent and getting vaccinated against this disease. In 2022, 3,650 cases were reported in 20 EU/EEA countries.
EFSA updates its independence policy
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has updated its reportIndependence policyto increase accountability and transparency.
Can living near an airport make you sick?
Transport and Environment NGOs have extrapolated Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s data on ultrafine particles (UFP) released by the combustion of jet fuel and applied it to Europe’s main airports. The study estimates that a total of 280,000 cases of hypertension, 330,000 cases of diabetes and 18,000 cases of dementia could be linked to aviation-related UFP emissions around Europe’s 32 busiest airports.
News from the capitals
PRAGUE
A coalition of six EU member states has warned of the huge stockpiling of medicines in some countries, and warns that such practices could cause significant shortages in other parts of the European Union. Read more.
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THE HAGUE
Dutch minister wants to introduce a new reimbursement system for expensive medicines. Concerns have been raised about the relative effectiveness of an increasing number of new medicines at the time they were launched, a spokesperson for outgoing Dutch Minister of Medical Care Pia Dijkstra told Euractiv. Read more.
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BRUSSELS
A new wave of radioligand therapy is prompting Belgium to launch an action plan.
A new wave of radioligand therapies is coming. Now that healthcare systems and policymakers are not equipped to handle the change, Belgium is launching an action plan. Read more.
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WARSAW
The integration of medical equipment in Poland receives new guidelines from the EMA, but the industry sounds cautious.
New guidelines from the European Medicines Agency for medical devices aim to streamline procedures, but integrating technologies into healthcare systems remains a challenge, the Polish industry warns. Read more.
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Opioid prescriptions under scrutiny in Poland, prompted by fentanyl fears.
The Polish Ministry of Health has implemented a daily system for monitoring opioid prescribing and dispensing following increasing reports of fentanyl use in the country. Read more.
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SOFIA
Bulgaria extends ban on export of insulin and antibiotics for children.
Bulgaria still faces serious problems with the supply of medicines. That is why Health Minister Galya Kondeva extends the export ban on antibiotics for children, insulin and blood sugar lowering medicines until mid-July. Read more.
June 24 – 27 – The EMA Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use meets; Highlights from the meeting will be published on June 28.
June 26 – EMA press conference on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) deficiencies.
June 26 – The Working Group on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices meets to discuss the pharmaceutical package and the appointment of a civil society representative to the Management Board of the European Medicines Agency.
June 26 – COREPER 1, agenda includes a roadmap to strengthen EU cross-border cooperation in crisis preparedness and response and a report from the Belgian Presidency on the main achievements at EU level in the field of resilience of critical entities.
July 1 – Start of the Hungarian presidency of the EU.
July 1 – EMA organizes a multi-stakeholder workshop on GLP-1 shortages aimed at strengthening cooperation and finding new solutions.
July 2nd – The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) will officially replace the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The agency will have a broader mandate and be able to respond more effectively to drug-related threats.
July 3 – Official launch of the EUDA in the presence of European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
July 3 – 4 – High Level Conference on Cardiovascular Health, Budapest, Hungary
*Clara Bauer-Babef and Haven Dager contributed to this assignment
(Edited by Rajnish Singh)
Read more with Euractiv
