Voting begins tomorrow to decide the composition of the next European Parliament. Ahead of the vote, we take a look at where the main political groups stand on health issues.
Health has not featured much in the election campaign, despite a Eurobarometer survey in April showing it was one of voters’ top priorities.
Surprisingly, the most significant change in the EU’s role in health policy occurred just four years ago, when the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis caused the EU to become less important.
The manifestos of the major political parties give us some idea of what’s to come, but they don’t tell the whole story.
European People’s Party (EPP) – has many plans for the future
The EPP manifesto is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious when it comes to health.
“We have made great progress on European health policy during my last term,” MEP Peter Liese wrote on his website, saying he wants to build on the success of the Fight Cancer Plan. “As MEPs, we will support action plans not only on cardiovascular diseases, but also on diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”
Key MEPs: Peter Liese, Tomislav Sokol, Adam Järvas, Dolors Montserrat, Silpa Pietikainen
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – A Fairer European Health Union
S&D’s manifesto emphasises universal access to quality health care and social care as a fundamental right. The group calls for fair and transparent medicine pricing, European cooperation on health threats and a focus on mental health.
Key MEPs: Thiemo Volken, Brando Benifay
MEP Thiemo Werken prioritises fair access to medicines
Thiemo Werken (Germany, Science and Technology) MEP, who as rapporteur and co-rapporteur on various health-related files has consistently prioritised fair access to medicines and transparent pricing, is seeking a third term in office with the EU elections looming.
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) – Healthy Interest
The ALDE group’s manifesto is weak on health issues, touching lightly on the digitalisation of healthcare, reproductive rights, the introduction of fast-track lanes to attract highly skilled professionals in various fields, including health, etc. However, we know that many of the ALDE MEPs who have been very active on health issues are likely to return to Parliament.
Key MEPs: Hilde Voortmans, Billy Kelleher, Ondrez Knotek, Andreas Gluck
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) – Nothing here?
The ECR is currently expected to win around 10 seats. The ECR does not mention health in its manifesto and told Euraactive that it strongly believes health is a national issue.
However, this rather confirms the ECR’s support for health proposals in parliament over the past five years and, unlike the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group, the ECR has been involved in and supported almost every health report in parliament.
A key issue for many NGOs is whether a more right-wing parliament will be reluctant to support proposals on the determinants of health (tobacco, alcohol and nutrition) that are expected to be tabled before the next parliament.
Lead MEP: Joanna Kopczynska
European Greens – Healthy Planet, Healthy People
Although the Greens have few health-related items in their manifesto, their voting record in parliament shows that they are strong supporters of European action. They are particularly sensitive to the relationship between the environment and human health.
Key MEPs: Tilly Metz, Ciaran Cuffe
In other news
Conflict of interest consultation in HTA
The European Commission has launched a consultation on the management of conflicts of interest in the context of the Health Technology Assessment Regulation. The consultation closes on 26 June.
New measures to prevent shortages
The council revised medical device laws, including requiring manufacturers to report potential shortages of critical medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices.
New Substances of Human Origin Regulation (“SoHO”)
The Council adopted the Substances of Human Origin Regulation (“SOHO”), a new regulation designed to strengthen safety and quality standards for blood, tissues and cells used in medicine.
First Chikungunya vaccine nears EU marketing approval
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended marketing authorisation for Ishchiq, the first vaccine to protect adults against chikungunya, a tropical viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
14 new drugs recommended for EU approval
The EMA has recommended approval for 14 medicines, including Segemly to treat metastatic lung cancer, Avdiv to treat colon and other cancers, and Zegalogue to treat severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes.
UK residents allowed to donate blood and plasma
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) no longer recommends excluding donors who stayed in the United Kingdom (UK) for at least one year between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood/plasma for fractionation.
Children are using e-cigarettes more frequently
A World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights marketing tactics that are creating a new wave of addiction, and the latest data shows that e-cigarette use among children in many countries is outpacing adult use.
ECDC Recommends Safe Sex This Summer
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has warned of rising rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis infections and advised safer sexual practices over the summer.
MEP Thiemo Werken prioritises fair access to medicines
World Health Assembly reaches landmark agreement on International Health Regulations
World No Tobacco Day: NGOs frustrated with EU inaction
French tobacco retailers oppose price hike
European Cancer Week: Viewpoint of Professor Jean-Yves Blaye
News from the capital
Brussels
The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is in the final stages of discussing Regulatory Data Protection (RDP) for medicines. The goal is to balance medicines innovation and timely access for patients across the EU. Read more here.
///
Brussels and The Hague
Belgium and the Netherlands are leading the way in advancing the priority of need-driven research that involves patients. Belgium and the Netherlands promote a need-driven research model that prioritizes societal demands, with a strong focus on addressing unmet medical needs. As Belgium prepares for its future presidency, the Netherlands is contributing its research insights. Find out more here.
///
Bratislava
Slovak European election candidates are divided on the role of EU health. As the European elections approach, candidates are divided on the role of EU health, but agree on the importance of greater strategic EU autonomy. Read more.
///
Sofia
Bulgaria has said that the EU medicines package will focus on national capacity and medicine prices.
Bulgaria’s latest position statement on the reform of EU medicines legislation emphasises the importance of national capacity and focuses on ensuring citizens of poorer countries have access to new medicines. Read more here.
Pay dispute rocks Bulgaria’s health system.
Bulgarian hospitals have warned the government that forced wage increases for medical workers risk mass bankruptcies in the health sector. Read more.
///
Warsaw
The Polish pharmaceutical employer urges applicants to “commit themselves to the European vaccination strategy.”
Polish pharmaceutical companies are using the EU elections to lobby Polish candidates to commit to implementing a European Vaccination Strategy for 2024-2029. Read more here.
June 4 – Council Working Group on Public Health
4-5 June – Belgian Presidency: “Human Biomonitoring and PARC: from local to international level” Brussels
5 June – Council COREPER I meeting to approve the draft Council conclusions on the future of the European Health Union and to adopt a Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers
5 June – The Belgian Presidency hosted a 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 Working Group on Medicines and Medical Devices discusses the Shortage Cluster in the Medicines Act
6-9 June – European Parliament elections
10th and 12th June – Meeting of the European Medicines Agency’s Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralisation Procedures (Human) (CMDh)
11 June – EMCDDA publishes European Drug Report 2024: Trends and Developments
12 June – WHO/Europe report on commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases released
12-13 June – Belgian Presidency: “Roadmap on Carcinogens” in Brussels
Health reporter Luisa Antunes contributed to this report.
