cross-border

Broadband cuts threaten European Commission’s e-Inclusion goals

One of the European Commission’s key Digital Agenda for Europe goals, namely to provide access to fast broadband across Europe by 2013, is threatened by a decision by European heads of state to slash the budget. This could further impede working towards equity in the area of eHealth. Under its Digital Agenda for Europe strategy, which has also recently been relaunched with new targets, the Commission’s objective is for Europeans to have access to fast broadband by 2013 while (...)

[EPHA Statement] General Data Protection Regulation & Implications for Health Research

Data for health research must remain available for the benefit of society as a whole, whilst respecting the rights of the individual. 27 February, Brussels - The European Commission proposal for a regulation concerning data protection, released in January 2013, contains a number of exemptions and provisions crucial to facilitating vital health research within a framework of individual rights and protections. The public health community welcomed the proposal and its recognition of the (...)

Fact or fiction? The Co-production of health and the digital user

In December, the 2012 EHTEL symposium explored, amongst other things, user perspectives in the domain of digital health. It was an opportunity to learn about new developments in eHealth and how they can help address health inequalities and improve access, particularly regarding less literate and disadvantaged population groups for whom the digital divide is still a reality. Following an introduction of the conference theme - ’’The Future of eHealth is already here’’ (...)

Council Conclusions on organ donation and transplantation

Last December 7 the Employment, Social Policy Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) , the Council of the European Union debated and adopted a number of conclusions related to the organ donation and transplantation. The Council adopted a couple of conclusions taking in account three main challenges agreed on “Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation (2009-2015): Strengthened Cooperation between Member States”. The action plan was intended to help increase the (...)

Revamping the EU Single Market

To redress concerns voiced by citizens and business representatives, the Single Market Act II represents a new chapter in the ongoing process towards a deeper and better integrated Single Market, with the current focus firmly lying on job creation, growth and social cohesion. While these factors can impact on health, economic concerns dominate the debate while health and social concerns remain marginal. Single Market Act II As announced in June in its new proposal, the Commission puts (...)

More monitoring of Certification bodies requested by Medical Devices Directive

In light of the recent PIP breast implant scandal, more monitoring of certification bodies is requested under the new proposed Medical Devices Directive to improve patient safety. Until now, independent certification bodies, approved by Member States, provided authorisation to medical devices coming into the market. Some MEPs are calling for a centralised EU authorisation of medical devices, however the Commission will not propose this for the Medical Devices Directive (MDD). Eucomed, (...)

EPHA Briefing on Medical Devices Directive

In advance of the European Commission’s legislative proposal on the recast of the Medical Devices Directive to be released in September, EPHA releases a Briefing on Medical Devices that summarises some of the issues that will be under discussion in the upcoming reform process. As the recent PIP breast implant scandal brought to light, there has been a dramatic increase in faulty medical devices over the last decade that were able to enter the market due to serious loopholes in the (...)

2012 AGA Master Class reflects on 20 Years of Maastricht Treaty

The 2012 EPHA Annual General Assembly kicked off on June 5 with a Master Class jointly organised by the Maastricht University and EPHA Member the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region. (ASPHER). It was an opportunity for EPHA members to learn about and reflect on the impact of the Maastricht Treaty on public health, as well as to discuss its strengths and weaknesses. The joint ASPHER/University of Maastricht workshop on the development of the EU’s public (...)

European Commission consults on Art 15 voluntary network - Health Technology Assessment

The European Commission’s DG SANCO has launched a stakeholder consultation entitled "Modalities of stakeholder consultation in the voluntary Health Technology Assessment network to be established under Directive 2011/24/EU" Article 15 of the Cross-border Patients’ Rights Directive (2011/24/EU) of outlines relevant areas for cooperation between Member States in the field of public health. This includes cooperation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA), where it sets up a (...)

eHealth Task Force releases recommendations for action

At the 2012 eHealth Week in Copenhagen, the eHealth Task Force created last year and led by the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, released its long-awaited report, ’’Redesigning health in Europe for 2010’’. One of the most important events of 2012 eHealth Week was the publication of the eHealth Task Force report, which contains five levers of change that have also been addressed (at least partly) in EPHA’s briefings on eHealth and the Digital Agenda (...)