Tomorrow voting begins to determine the makeup of the next European Parliament, we take a look at the positions of the main political groups when it comes to health issues ahead of the vote.
Despite a Eurobarometer survey in April showing health is one of the top priorities for voters, it hasn’t featured much in the election campaign.
Amazingly, it was just four years ago that we experienced one of the most seismic changes to the EU’s role in health policy, but with the war in Ukraine and a cost of living crisis, its profile has slipped.
Looking at the manifestos of the main political groups will tell us something about what might lie ahead, but it isn’t the full story.
European People’s Party (EPP) – Many plans ahead
The EPP manifesto is certainly one of the most ambitious when it comes to health.
“We achieved a major breakthrough in European health policy during the last mandate”, writes Peter Liese member of the European Parliament (MEP) on his website. He wants to build on the success of the Beating Cancer Plan, “We as EPP support an action plan for cardiovascular diseases as well as for diseases like Parkinson and Alzheimer.”
Key MEPs: Peter Liese, Tomislav Sokol, Adam Jarubas, Dolors Montserrat, Sirpa Pietikäinen
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – A more equitable European Health Union
The S&D manifesto focuses on universal access to quality health and social care as a fundamental right. The group wants fair and transparent medicine pricing, European cooperation on health threats and a stronger emphasis on mental health.
Key MEPs: Tiemo Wölken, Brando Benifei
MEP Tiemo Wölken prioritises fair access to medicines
As rapporteur and co-rapporteur on several health-related files, MEP Tiemo Wölken (Germany, S&D) has consistently prioritised fair access to medicines and transparent pricing, and with EU elections looming, he is eyeing a third mandate.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) – A healthy interest
The ALDE group’s manifesto is weak on health matters, with passing references to digitisation in healthcare, reproductive rights and implementing fast lanes to attract highly skilled specialists in various fields, including health. However, we know that many ALDE MEPs have been very active on health issues are likely to return to the Parliament.
Key MEPs: Hilde Vautmans, Billy Kelleher, Ondrez Knotek, Andreas Gluck
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) – Nothing to see here?
The ECR are currently projected to gain around ten seats. They don’t mention health in their manifesto, and have told Euractiv they see health very much as a national matter.
This however rather belies ECR’s support for health proposals in parliament over the last five years, where – unlike the far right, Identity and Democracy (ID) group – they have been engaged and supportive of almost all parliamentary health reports.
A key question for many NGOs, will be whether a more right-wing parliament will be reluctant to support proposals on health determinants (tobacco, alcohol, nutrition), expected to be presented before the next parliament.
Key MEP: Joanna Kopcińska
The European Greens – Healthy planet, healthy people
The Green’s manifesto is light on health, but their voting record in parliament has strongly favoured European action. They are particularly sensitive to the connections between the environment and human health.
Key MEPs: Tilly Metz, Ciaran Cuffe
I want to empower patients, says Green group's health expert
“What kind of europe do we want? A Europe that puts patients’ needs at the forefront, or that prioritises the interests of big pharma?” says Greens health expert Tilly Metz
Other news
Consultation on conflict of interests in HTA
The European Commission has opened a consultation on management of conflicts of interests in relation to the health technology assessment regulation. The consultation closes on 26 June.
New measures to help prevent shortages
The Council updated the legislation on medical devices, including a requirement for manufacturers to flag potential shortages of critical medical devices and IVDs.
New rules on substances of human origin (‘SoHO’)
The Council adopted the regulation of substances of human origin (‘SOHO’). The new rules intend to enhance the safety and quality standards of blood, tissues and cells used in healthcare.
First vaccine against Chikungunya close to marketing authorisation in the EU
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendsa marketing authorisation for Ixchiq, the first vaccine to protect adults against Chikungunya, a tropical viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
14 new medicines recommended for approval in the EU
EMArecommends14 medicines for approval. Included are Cejemly for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer, Avzivi for the treatment of carcinoma of the colon and other cancers, and Zegalogue for the treatment of severe hypoglecemia in patients with diabetes.
Donating blood and plasma now allowed for UK residents
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) no longer recommends excluding donors who have spent at least one year in the United Kingdom (UK) between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood/plasma for fractionation.
Children are heavy users of e-cigarettes
A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights marketing strategies that are creating a new wave of addiction. The latest data show that children are using electronic cigarettes in many countries at higher rates than adults in .
ECDC recommends safer sex this summer
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns of an increase in the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis and advises safer sex during the summer season.
Stories of the Week Health
MEP Tiemo Wölken prioritises fair access to medicines
World Health Assembly reaches landmark deal on International Health Regulations
World No Tobacco Day: NGOs vent frustration at EU’s failure to act
French tobacconists against raising price of cigarettes
European Week Against Cancer: Insights from Professor Jean-Yves Blay
NEWS FROM THE CAPITALS
BRUSSELS
In its last stretch, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU is discussing regulatory data protection (RDP) for medicinal products. The goal is to balance pharmaceutical innovation with timely patient access across the EU.Read more.
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BRUSSELS & THE HAGUE
Belgium and the Netherlands lead push for need-driven research priorities involving patients.Belgium and the Netherlands are pushing for a need-driven research model prioritising society’s requirements, with an on emphasis addressing unmet medical needs. Belgium is setting the stage for future presidencies, with the Netherlands providing research insights.Read more.
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BRATISLAVA
Slovak European election candidates split on EU’s health role.As Slovakia edges towards the European elections, candidates are split on the EU’s role in health but agree on the importance of the EU’s increased strategic autonomy.Read more.
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SOFIA
Focus on national competence and drug prices in EU pharma package, says Bulgaria.
Bulgaria’s updated position paper on the revision of the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation underlines the importance of national competence and focuses on access to new medicines for citizens of poorer countries. Read more.
Salary conflict shakes Bulgarian health system.
Bulgarian hospitals have warned the government that it risks mass bankruptcies in the health sector if mandatory salary increases are imposed for health staff. Read more.
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WARSAW
Polish pharma employers urge candidates ‘commit to European Vaccination Strategy’.
Poland’s pharma employers are using the EU elections to push Polish candidates to commit to implementing the European Vaccination Strategy for 2024-2029.Read more.
On the Agenda Health
4 June – Council’s Working Party on Public Health
4 – 5 June – Belgian Presidency: ‘Human Biomonitoring and PARC: from regional to international level’ in Brussels
5 June – Council’s COREPER I meeting to approve the Draft Council conclusions on the Future of the European Health Union and to adopt the Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers
5 June – Belgian Presidency organised joint meeting of the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) and the Scientific Advice Working Party (SAWP)
5 – 6 June – Council’s Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices to discuss the shortages cluster of the pharmaceutical legislation
6 – 9 June – European Parliament elections
10 and 12 June – Meeting of the of the European Medicines Agency’s Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures – Human (CMDh)
11 June – European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) launches its European Drug Report 2024: Trends and Developments
12 June – Launch WHO/Europe report on commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases
12-13 June – Belgian Presidency: ‘Roadmap on carcinogens’ in Brussels
Health Reporter, Luisa Antunes, also contributed to this brief.
Read more with Euractiv
French pharma lobby unveils €2 million plan to reduce medication misuse
France's pharmaceutical lobby Leem unveiled a plan on Tuesday (4 June) to fight the misuse of medicines, thought to be responsible for several thousand deaths every year, particularly among the elderly.
