Research

EPHA seminar on General Data Protection

EPHA hosted a seminar on Monday 19 November 2012 to clarify certain elements of the proposal for a revision of the rules on data protection. The European Commission released its revision of the 1995 Data Protection legislation in January of this year, proposing a number of measures which directly affect public health. In order to examine the exact implications for areas such as healthcare, patient protection and medical research, EPHA hosted a seminar clarifying the health matters (...)

Civil Society Contact Group writes to EU Council for an EU Budget that meets peoples’ needs and EU responsabilities

The extraordinary November Summit will focus solely on the EU Budget. Heads of State will defend the budget lines that their countries receive funds from. In this context, members of the Civil Society Contact Group call for a re-prioritisation of EU funds to where they have the biggest impact on the environment, extreme poverty, and people living in Europe. The 22-23 November European Council is a crucial summit for ensuring that the next MFF delivers adequate financing for sustainable (...)

EPHA position on General Data Protection Regulation

EPHA’s position on the General Data Protection Regulation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the existing proposal from the perspective of the health community and lays out the key provisions in protecting patient safety, individual rights and public health. The European Commission (EC) is currently reviewing its existing legal framework on data protection to ensure that the rules are fit for dealing with increasingly complex and sophisticated developments in technology and (...)

Commission Work programme 2013

On 25 October, the European Commission unveiled its 2013 work programme. Its overarching goal is to put the EU back on the road to sustainable growth. This will entail economic reforms, skills development, research and innovation, and changes in the single market. In the field of health, there are several initiatives mentioned for next year: Review of the Thematic Strategy on air pollution and associated legislation - assess the implementation and achievements of current air pollution (...)

European Health Forum Gastein - 2012 Edition Highlights Austerity Impacts on Health

The 15th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) took place between 3-6 October 2012 in Austria. This year’s conference theme was “Crisis and Opportunity – Health in an Age of Austerity’’, and the various plenary sessions, parallel forums and workshops covered topics ranging from health system sustainability to disease prevention, global health governance and the future of public health, research and innovation. In a sense, this year’s EHFG felt like a (...)

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, (...)

Saving Lives and Creating Impact: EU Investment in Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases

‘Saving Lives and Creating Impact: EU Investment in poverty-related and neglected diseases’ is a new study by the Independent Research Group, Policy Cures, that argues that European funding for poverty related and neglected diseases will have a direct benefit on both developing countries and on Europe. The benefits are excellence in science, jobs, and health security. The study was commissioned by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung, a German foundation. Poverty-related and (...)

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 (...)

New regulations proposed by the European Commission on Medical Devices

The European Commission has just proposed two fresh regulations which seem to be fit for purpose, more transparent and better adapted to scientific and technological progress. The new rules aim to ensure that patients, consumers and healthcare professionals can reap the benefits of safe, effective and innovative medical devices. According to the European Commission, the main aim of the revised proposal is ’safer, more effective and innovative medical devices.’ What does the (...)

European Voice Event - "Righting Wrongs: will clinical trials get a new deal in Europe?"