Welcome to the April 2007 edition of the EPHA newsletter!
The International Conference on Health and the EU Enlargement took place between the 16 and 17 of April in Bratislava (Slovakia).
150 participants, 60 speakers, 18 partners involved and 27 European countries represented. The two days event was a mix of plenary sessions, workshops and short presentations where everyone was encouraged to contribute to the debate.
The closing session, a one hour brainstorm with Commission Officials about the new EU Health Strategy, resulted in many useful exchanges.
The closing session, a one hour brainstorm with Commission Officials focused on the new EU Health Strategy. The issues raised included:
whether the institutional dynamic that had placed DG SANCO in a
leading position had now been reversed with other DGs taking more
prominent roles - the Commission did not think this was the case;
the potential for Commission funding for research related to
complementary and alternative medicine - the Commission believed there were funding opportunities;
whether the regulation of the pharmaceutical sector had been too
strongly led by DGs that promoted an agenda in conflict with public
health - the Commission believed that greater political will was
essential for advancing the priority afforded to public health, and;
whether SANCO had merely set the goal of establishing a dialogue with industry rather than seeking strong health goals which would require action from the industry - the Commission felt that their dialogues with industry was a positive first step in a partnership that could deliver positive health outcomes.
The final report will be available on the conference website by the end of May.
Read all the online articles of our newsletter for April 2007
EPHA members can find the following information on the Members Only section:
Results of the Annual General Assembly
EPHA reports:
EPHA report: Removing trans fats -a new retailers initiative
EPHA report: Pharmaceuticals and the Future of Cost Benefit Assessment in the EU
EPHA report: Bulding National and EU-level support for Expanding School Fruit Programmes
The Social Platform elects a new Management Committee for 2007
On-going consultations:
Consultation on the European Year of Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion
EPHA’s response to the consultation on smoke-free places in Europe
EPHA response to the Pharma Forum consultation on information to patients
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