Blog "Brussels Background"

More cooperation between the Member States when it comes to Health Technology Assessment (HTA) has long been part of the European Union (EU) policy agenda. A topic that is more present than ever now that the Commission has published its proposal for a new HTA regulation at the end of January. The aim of the proposal: Joint clinical assessments at EU level. Sounds good? – Well, not for everyone.

Some argue that it is just a manifestation of the core principles of the European Union, some say that the practice of parallel imports leads straight to a public health crisis in the Eastern European Member States. A prominent discussion, which will get even more heated now that Bulgaria starts its Presidency of the Council and is eager to put the topic higher on the agenda.

Closer cooperation between Member States in the area of health systems seems to have become a very attractive thing, especially when it comes to pharmaceutical policies. The most prominent example may be BeNeLuxA, but other Member States are also teaming up. Might this development also offer chances to the pharmaceutical industry and can it even help to foster more sustainable health care in the future?

On 20th November 2017 the General Affairs Council will vote on the relocation of the European Medicine Agency (EMA), which becomes necessary after the United Kingdom decided to withdraw from the European Union.

Ever since the Brexit became tangible and inevitable with negotiation rounds ongoing, the European Union had to start thinking about its future as the so-called EU 27. With Great Britain leaving the European Union the European Union loses a strong member state and –of course- budget. A lot has been discussed about the economic consequences to follow but what about the EU health policies?

Although healthcare systems across Europe are increasingly struggling with many challenges, reforming the system has never been a game changer in any election campaign. EHealth seems to be a buzzword that may solve many existing challenges and therefore is seen in many election manifestos. Both candidates during the French elections, for instance promoted eHealth as a decisive tool to improve the health of elderly people. Not only in France, but also in Germany and the rest of the EU the concept of eHealth is constantly in the news, lately very popularly during last Month´s eHealth week in Malta organised under the Maltese Council presidency. Many things are happening around eHealth even at EU level. Since its first Action Plan in 2004 that was followed by a new Action Plan 2012-2020, the European Commission marked the importance of eHealth as a major tool for improving EU citizens’ health and well-being. In its newly released mid-term review of the Digital Single Market, the Commission, once again, emphasised the importance of fostering eHealth strategies in the near future. But why? Is eHealth really the solution to all our problems or do we simply overestimate its benefits?