Blog "Brussels Background"
Unsere Politikexperten im Europa-Büro sortieren und bewerten in ihrem Blog "Brussels Background“ regelmäßig die europapolitischen Ereignisse.
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Weiterlesen20.05.2019 | Brussels Background
European Elections – Healthcare’s time to shine Part II
In our January edition we toyed with the idea that healthcare could become the superstar topic to win the voters’ hearts. And apparently we weren’t so wrong with that idea. From Manfred Weber’s “European Master Plan against cancer” to Jean-Claude Juncker’s recommendations for the new Commission not to drop health care topics – the awareness is there. But how do we move from mere awareness to tangible actions that improve the healthcare of EU citizens? The answer lies in the ballot on the 26th! -
Weiterlesen17.04.2019 | Brussels Background
European Health Care Funding - There´s more than meets the eye
The European Parliament has just voted on the new Research Framework Program FP9, better known as Horizon Europe. The program shall foster research and innovation across the European Union and constitutes one of the big chunks of the next EU budget in the period of 2021-2027. Whereas many of the projects are concerned with innovation and the future of healthcare in Europe, the European Union does finance many more projects that directly affect the life and health of its citizens. -
Weiterlesen25.02.2019 | Brussels Background
If only they knew about it – why the cross border health care directive is the perfect example for the Commission’s comms problem
The Cross Border Health Care Directive could be the poster child when it comes to tangible benefits the European Union has to offer its citizens. Although already passed in 2011, European citizens hardly know anything about it and therefore hardly seize the opportunities they have. How is it possible that the EU only receives negative feedback while substantially improving the life of its citizens? -
Weiterlesen08.01.2019 | Brussels Background
European Elections – Health Care’s time to shine?
A Eurobarometer report showed that the European citizens want the European Union to do more on health. A demand that seems impossible to fulfil as the Member States have a history of strongly securing this department for themselves. But times are changing and some threats such as vaccination hesitancy cannot be handled only by national health care systems. Could health care be the new superstar topic which will get people to the polling stations in May 2019? -
Weiterlesen15.11.2018 | Brussels Background
Brexit Deal – Happy End in Sight?
Yesterday, the British cabinet took more than 5 hours to discuss a 500 page document which shall organize a structured separation between the UK and the EU. Final outcome: the cabinet supports the draft deal and all ministers, except for one, are on board – at least for now. However, what seems to be glimpse of euphoria, is far from a happy end, since nothing has been decided yet! -
Weiterlesen02.11.2018 | Brussels Background
Mirror, Mirror on the wall- where will Brexit lead us all?
It kind of feels like reading the same news for the past few months when it comes to Brexit – “We’re almost there”! But are they really and will the divorce agreement be concluded any time soon? A few options for the future are on the table and they are manifold: from the horrific “cliff edge” scenario that has been depicted for so many times to the possibility that all of this might bring the rest of the EU 27 closer together. -
Weiterlesen19.10.2018 | Brussels Background
Pharmaceuticals in the Environment – of fish and men
Concern over increasing environmental pollution is growing. Nearly all industrial processes produce residues that could end up in the environment. Technological progress helps to identify quantities and origin of these micro-pollutants. However, the ways how these pollutants enter the environment are complex and the effects on human and animal health in many ways unknown. The water industry has identified the pharmaceutical industry as one of the main perpetrators and suggests solutions that may alter the way we live in many ways. -
Weiterlesen05.09.2018 | Brussels Background
The comeback of preventable diseases – measles and co on the rise
The latest measles outbreaks as well as alarmingly high numbers of infections with other communicable diseases – all this could have long been a thing of the past. But hesitancy towards vaccination is growing, vaccination rates are dropping significantly across Europe and the anti-vaccination lobby is stronger than ever. Governments across Europe need to reinforce the confidence in long established medical treatments – but how? -
Weiterlesen01.08.2018 | Brussels Background
The fight against AMR- A tale of missed chances?
There is one thing everyone can agree on: AMR is a tricky killer to tens and thousands every year all over the globe. AMR is also a health threat that does not stop at borders. To tackle and overcome this threat, effective and bold strategies are needed – but what is the right one and where do we stand? -
Weiterlesen29.06.2018 | Brussels Background
A wind of change: The revision of the current SME definition
In 15 years the definition of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has never changed. Till now: The Commissions’ President Juncker claims that SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and that they therefore need proper and fair access to funding and support in order to meet the needs of the economy. A clear cut definition is supposed to facilitate this access and thus support these enterprises. Especially in Germany, we have a different understanding of what is an SME – also called German Mittelstand. The next months will show if and how the Commission will adapt to the changing world and possibly adapt also the SME definition. The pharmaceutical industry – especially in Germany – will closely watch this space.