Health

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

EU citizens’ initiative against nicotine approved
The Commission has approved a request for a citizens’ initiative against nicotine, cigarettes and the use of tobacco products. The initiators want the Commission to adopt legislation to discourage the younger generation from smoking and to better protect the environment from the consequences of tobacco consumption.The initiative launched in Spain is entitled: “Call to achieve […] continue reading →
EU defines top three health risks
The EU has identified the three greatest risks to public health: Pandemics, nuclear threat, and antimicrobial resistance. This is to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, the EU is better prepared than it was, for example, at the beginning of the Covid crisis. These were life-threatening or otherwise seriously threatening health risks that […] continue reading →
EU authorities recommend second COVID booster for over 60-year-olds
European Union health authorities are recommending that all people over 60 receive a second COVID booster vaccination. “It is crucial that everyone above 60 and all vulnerable persons come forth for a second booster dose as quickly as possible,” EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Monday.At present, according to the European health authority ECDC, […] continue reading →
EU to cooperate more closely in health crises
In health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be much closer cooperation at the EU level in the future. Negotiators from the EU states and the European Parliament agreed on Thursday to strengthen cooperation across national borders. To this end, the EU Commission will for the first time be able to declare an […] continue reading →
Cancer: announcement of code of conduct on the right to be forgotten
Before the end of the current legislative term, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides wants to develop a code of conduct on the right to be forgotten for former cancer patients. “The past few decades have seen enormous progress in childhood cancer survival, and today, we can cure up to 80 percent of childhood cancers,” Kyriakides […] continue reading →
Hotly debated topic: the EU Health Data Space
For Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas, the European Health Data Space is "a milestone for our digital transformation and a real revolution in European medical history". Here in Germany, the announced revolution must first show whether it can stand up to the German reality of digitization. continue reading →
EU-COVID certificate: EU Parliament supports extension
The EU regulation for COVID-19 digital certificates is to be maintained for another year, until June 2023. The EP plenary approved the negotiations on the extension of the certificates for EU citizens and third-country nationals. Negotiations with the Council can begin immediately, according to the Parliament, so that the rules can enter into force before […] continue reading →
EU Health Data Space: Commission focuses on binding nature
The EU Commission's proposal for the European Health Data Space is on the table. According to Health Commissioner Kyriakides, the EU is thus taking a "truly historic step" on the road to digital healthcare. However, it will be a mammoth task. One of the sticking points is likely to be data protection. continue reading →
Commission: prepare for the next phase of the pandemic
EU countries should remain vigilant despite falling COVID-19 numbers, according to the European Commission. The Brussels-based agency on Wednesday unveiled a guide for transitioning from the COVID-19 emergency of recent months and years to a more long-term approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are entering a new phase of the pandemic as we have gradually […] continue reading →
EU wants faster bans for chemicals
In the future, entire groups of chemicals that are hazardous to health and the environment could be banned in the European Union. A corresponding roadmap, the Restrictions Roadmap, was published by the EU Commission in Brussels on Monday.The environmental organization EEB welcomed the plan. It is a political commitment to use existing laws to ban […] continue reading →
Pharma: Pressure grows continuously
The expectations that companies deal with sustainability risks are increasing. The pressure is also growing in the pharmaceutical industry. At first glance, the highly regulated industry does not need to worry too much in the so-called ESG area. However, controversies are looming, especially when it comes to social criteria. continue reading →
Vaccine contracts: Green MEPs sue EU Commission
Greens/EFA members Jutta Paulus, Tilly Metz, Margrete Auken, Michèle Rivasi, and Kim van Sparrentak have filed a complaint against the European Commission with the European Court of Justice. They are demanding access to the full contracts for the purchase of Covid 19 vaccines, which so far are only available in redacted versions. “Secrecy is a […] continue reading →
EU Special Committee on COVID-19 pandemic kicks off
The EU Special Committee on the “COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future” (COVI) kicked off yesterday with an inaugural meeting. Equipped with a broad mandate, it will examine the European response to the pandemic in the areas of health, democracy and fundamental rights, economy and society, and the EU’s global relations.At yesterday’s […] continue reading →
Escape to the future: Pharmaceutical industry wants to improve access to medicines
The EU Commission intends to revise European pharmaceutical legislation at the end of 2022. Even during the consultations at the end of 2021, the pharmaceutical industry did not see any fundamental need for improvement. However, now, it is taking the plunge and presenting its own proposals to make access to medicines faster and fairer for millions of patients in the EU. continue reading →
EMA involved in the preparations for the HTA Regulation
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will work with the European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) to prepare the new Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Regulation. The regulation is expected to enter into force in January 2025.In their joint work plan, the EMA and EUnetHTA announced their intention to focus, among other things, on relaunching a […] continue reading →
Health Data Space: Experts plead for one-stop shop
The EU Commission is still wrestling with a legal framework for the European Health Data Space. In this hot phase, the experts of the TEHDAS Joint Action are publishing one report after another to support the Commission in its efforts. In doing so, they advocate for one point of contact for health data per member state. continue reading →
Doctors lament problems with care for war refugees
When it comes to medical care for war refugees from Ukraine, panel doctors in Germany still see considerable difficulties. “Registration problems mean that the supply of medicines, in particular, cannot be guaranteed at present,” the board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians wrote this week in a letter to Wolfgang Schmidt, head […] continue reading →
IPCEI Health: Germany opts out for now
16 EU countries want to participate in the new IPCEI in the healthcare sector. In doing so, they want to strengthen Europe's sovereignty in this area and promote their own economic position. Germany is not participating for now, while France does not want to lose any time. continue reading →