Vaccines and Immunization

European Immunization Week 2013: Prevent - Protect - Immunize

As the European Immunization Week unfolds (22-27 April 2013), it is worth to re-emphasise immunization as a cost-effective public health preventive measure. It is particularly true in times of economic crisis and public spending cuts affecting essential health services needed to prevent the re-emergence of communicable diseases in Europe (and elsewhere). On an annual basis, for one week in April, all countries across the European Region unite under the European Immunization Week’s (...)

[EPT] Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report: EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR (22 March 2013)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report - EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as one of the biggest threats to public health - a worrisome development since resistance to drugs designed to treat severe diseases is becoming more widespread. In 2001 the WHO published its Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, describing what AMR is and what strategies should be (...)

‘Innovation in Veterinary Medicines and the Competitiveness of Livestock Farming in the EU’

The event organised by Zoetis (a global animal health company) examined the challenges faced by the animal livestock industry. EPHA attended the meeting to collect and present the key messages of the workshop for EPHA Members. Sandra Beaty from Zoetis stressed that EU legislation should be based on evidences and science. In his presentation Prof. David Leaver, Emeritus Professor The Royal Agricultural College UK, pointed out that if Europe’s competitiveness in the food market (...)

European Parliament adopts Resolution on Antimicrobial Resistance

Following an own initiative report by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Anna Rosbach (ECR, Denmark), the European Parliament voted on 11 December to adopt a resolution on the threat to health posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). In the resolution, MEPs call for prudent use guidelines to reduce exposure to non-essential antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary practice, agriculture and aquaculture. The text emphasises the need to use antibiotics responsibly, to educate health (...)

European Parliament Committee adopts report on the Microbial Challenge

The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on 6 November 2012 to adopt the own initiative report on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The report, prepared by MEP Anna Rosbach (ECR, Denmark), was adopted by 62 votes to 0 following consideration of the opinion of the Agriculture Committee (AGRI) in October. The report aims to establish an action plan against the rising threat from antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Responding to the (...)

EPHA service

7th EAP- General Action Programme - THE 7TH ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME (EAP) (updated on 18 March 2013) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report - EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR (updated on 22 March 2013) CAP reform – new regulations - Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) revision for 2014-2020 (updated on 5 April 2013) Car noise pollution - new EU regulation - sound level of motor vehicles (updated on 7 February 2013) Child poverty and well being - Council (...)

*Updated* EPHA briefing on Antimicrobial Resistance

As consumption of antimicrobials has increased, the natural processes of adaptation and mutation have resulted in new, resistant strains of common diseases. Unresponsive to traditional treatments, these pose a major threat to public health, as demonstrated by the proliferation of regional and global pandemics. EPHA has updated its briefing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ahead of 2012 European Antibiotics Awareness Day (November 18) and in light of the European Parliament’s Own (...)

European Parliament Agriculture Committee adopts opinion on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) report

The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) voted on Thursday 11 October 2012 to adopt its opinion on the draft own-initiative report entitled ’Microbial Challenge: rising threats from antimicrobial resistance’.

European Parliament Public Health Committee votes on Serious Health Threats proposal

On Wednesday 10 October 2012 the European Parliament’s Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted to adopt the draft report prepared by MEP Gilles Pargneaux (S&D, France) on serious cross border threats to health. The report makes a number of amendments to the European Commission’s proposal for a Decision of the Parliament and the Council, but broadly supports the Commission’s aims and objectives. The Commission proposal seeks to extend (...)

European Scientific Working Group on Influenza Flu Summit - Bringing all stakeholders on board

The second Flu Summit organised by EPHA member the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) took place on 23 March 2012. The event explored new concepts and ideas for bringing together all stakeholders in the fight against flu - both seasonal and pandemic. Taking off where the ESWI’s First Flu Summit wound up a year ago, the event once again brought together researchers and academics, policy-makers, NGOs, health professionals and industry representatives to debate a (...)