April Newsletter 2010

18 New MEPs in the European Parliament

In December 2011, 18 new MEPS joined the European Parliament, when changes to a protocol in the Lisbon treaty came into force. Twelve countries are to gain one or more representatives – Spain: 4; Austria, France, and Sweden: 2; Bulgaria, Italy, Malta, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and the UK: 1 The political affiliation of the new MEPs is 8 new members to the European People Party, 5 new members to the Socialist & Democrats Group, 2 new Members to the Green/EFA (...)

Pharmacovigilance - legislative update

The European Parliament and Council are currently reviewing proposals for a Directive and a Regulation on Pharmacovigiliance. In this article you can find out more information about the process, as well as EPHA’s position on the files. ***Update September 2010: EP Plenary adopts reports on Pharmacovigliance The Pharmacovigilance of medicinal products (amendment of Regulation (EC) No 726/2004) Report was adopted by 559 votes in favour to 7 against with 12 abstentions, with a (...)

Guide to the new College of Commissioners

**Update April 2010** The Commission published a user-friendly guide to the College of Commissioners for Citizens in its “Easy Reading Corner.” This brochure provides a brief insight into the work of the European Commission. It presents all of the Commissioners, their policy portfolios and the priorities they have set out for their five-year terms of office. On Friday 27 November the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, announced the nominations for the (...)

Report on the EPHA exchange of views with Spanish Presidency

The Health and Consumer Affairs Counsellor for the Spanish Permanent Representation gave a presentation on the health priorities of the Spanish Presidency and the framework of the trio presidency. In this article you can find a summary of topics discussed, as well as the powerpoint presentation given that day. Enrique Garcia Terol, the Health and Consumer Affairs Counsellor for the Spanish Permanent Representation came to the EPHA offices to give a presentation on the health priorities of (...)

Letter to Commissioner Dalli on Information to Patients

In his hearing with the European Parliament, John Dalli promised the reassessment of the "Information to Patients" proposal. Yet, the proposals are moving through the political process in the Parliament. In this context, EPHA sent a letter to Commissioner Dalli. In the letter, EPHA called on his services to handle the dossier urgently in order to clarify uncertainties in the legislative process. Below is the full text of the letter. Mr. John Dalli European Commissioner for Health and (...)

Secretariat News April 2010

1. Activity and communication Strategic Planning for EPHA EPHA continued its member consultation on the next planning period for the organisation. The two draft documents remain available and members are encouraged to contribute to the discussions. Please access information on the documents and the process here. These were discussed during a Health Determinants Strategic Interest Group with members, held on 14 April and during a team day on Friday 9 April. Policy Coordination Meeting (...)

Action for Global Health Press Release: European Commission embraces health as a human right for all

On 31 March 2010, the European Commission proposed a new and more coherent approach to EU health cooperation through its new Communication on the role of the EU in Global Health. By applying European health and equity principles to Global Health policies, the EC signals a strong commitment to ensuring the Right to Health for all. In adopting the Communication, the European Commissioners for Development (Andris Piebalgs), Health and Consumer Policy (John Dalli) and Research , Innovation and (...)

4th European Alcohol Policy Conference

With the aim of stimulating action in alcohol policy, EPHA member Eurocare organises the fourth European Alcohol Policy Conference that will take place on 21-22 June 2010 in Brussels. After three successful conferences that took place in 2004 (Warsaw), in 2006 (Helsinki) and 2008 (Barcelona), Eurocare chose Brussels to hold the fourth conference in order to involve an audience as wide as possible. The scope of the conference is to promote and disseminate knowledge about current thinking (...)

2nd Pan-European Conference on Haemoglobinopathies

A pan-European conference, hosted by EPHA member Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), has called for closer collaboration between all stakeholders to secure optimal treatment and quality of life for patients living with haemoglobin disorders in Europe. The conclusion of the 2nd Pan-European Conference on Haemoglobinopathies, held on 13–14 March 2010 in Berlin, was that closer collaboration between medical and patient communities, as well as national and EU-level (...)

EU-India Free Trade Agreement may hinder access to essential medicines

The EU is about to conclude its Free Trade Agreement negociations with India. Current negotiations threaten the pivotal role India plays in supplying affordable generic versions of drugs throughout the developing world. EPHA provides more information on the issues at stake. India`s role in access to affordable generic medicines In recent years, India has become "the pharmacy of the developing world". Ninety-two percent of people living with HIV on treatment in low- and middle-income (...)