HIV/AIDS

Collaboration between Medicine Patent Pool and ViiV Healthcare will increase access to HIV medicines

On 27 February, the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) presented the position on innovative Paediatric Collaboration between the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and ViiV Healthcare. The agreement will facilitate and increase the provision of HIV medicines for children in a whole world. The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) supports the collaboration between Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and ViiV Healthcare. The license for paediatric formulations of the antiretroviral medicine abacavir (...)

EU Trade Agreement could increase the price of medicines in Moldova

On September 25, the EU Civil Society Forum (CSF) sent a letter to the European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. The letter referred to the access to affordable medicines and negotiations for a European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement with Moldova. The EU is in the process of negotiating a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the eastern European state of the Republic of Moldova. Allegedly, it contains a provision that could endanger the health of people living with (...)

Austerity threatens Portugal’s drug program

The cuts to Portugal’s drug programme, combined with an increase in hard drug abuse, could be the beginning of a serious problem for this south European country. Drug policy in Portugal is a distinct model for many countries across the world. (Norway and Argentina even considered implementing parts of the Portuguese model). Yet, due to budget cuts coupled with an increasing consumption of hard drugs, Portugal’s successful approach to tackle drug abuse may become unaffordable. (...)

Council Conclusions on the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020

In view of the forthcoming adoption of the EU Drugs Strategy 2013-2020, the Council of the European Union published in June its Conclusions on the Strategy. EPHA summarises these below. The Council conclusions on the new EU Drugs Strategy lay out the state of play of the drug use and its implications in the EU: heroin use is the biggest drug problem, cannabis is the most commonly illicit drug used in the EU, followed by cocaine, worrying developments are happening in the synthetic (...)

EPHA Briefing on Antimicrobial Resistance

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. EPHA’s briefing describes the causes of AMR; evaluates what is being done at an EU and international level; and explores some of challenges faced today by public health. EPHA Briefing on AMR The increasing spread of AMR coupled with ineffective policies to counteract it, (...)

Public Health expert to lead the World Bank

The World Bank’s Executive Directors selected Dr. Jim Yong Kim as the 12th President of the World Bank Group on 16 April 2012. For the first time since the World Bank was founded, multiple nominees were proposed by World Bank members. Out of three candidates, the Executive Directors selected Dr. Jim Yong Kim as President for a five-year term. First Statement by Dr Jim Yong Kim Dr Jim Yong Kim Biography Source: World Bank Press Release: Dr. Jim Yong Kim is currently President (...)

WHO Europe series on “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response”

The WHO European Region’s series of “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response” shows that gender differences and inequalities affect various aspects of illness, health and wellbeing in girls and boys in Europe. By addressing gender as a key determinant of adolescent health, this publication aims to support Member States’ work in the framework of the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Development. Research shows that boys and (...)

First European quality standards to improve drug prevention in the EU

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) published the first European quality standards to improve drug prevention in the European Union. It is designed as a Manual for professionals who, directly or indirectly, contribute to drug prevention. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction launched the first European quality standards to improve drug prevention in the European Union. This Manual follows up from the EU Drug Action Plan 2009-2012. In (...)

Civil society worried on cuts in HIV/AIDS project funding under the Public Health Programme

The release of the 2011 Public Health Work Plan revealed a shift from projects to a tendering system, which the EU HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum and the Civil Society Forum on Drugs considers a barrier to NGOs and civil society to contributing to the development of effective health policy development, implementation, and limits provision of services. The EU HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum and the Civil Society Forum on Drugs, wrote a letter of concern to highlight the importance of Commission (...)

WHO European Region meets in Baku - Overview of the discussions and results

Representatives from the 53 Member States in the WHO European Region meet in Baku, Azerbaijan on the 12-15 September , for their 61st session to discuss the reform of the WHO, the new WHO EURO policy for health, health governance, and several action plans particularly on noncommunicable diseases and alcohol. The Regional Committee sessions represents the annual meetings during which representatives from the 53 Member States in the WHO European Region take decisions for the WHO EURO and (...)