Ageing and Older People

EP resolution underlines the need for action on medicines access problem

On 18 April, the European Parliament (EP) voted on a Resolution on the impact of the financial and economic crisis on human rights. The resolution highlighted some of the global impacts of the crisis on the right to health. EPHA applauds the EP’s recognition of the multiple impacts of the crisis on ordinary people and the need to further champion public health across Europe. The Resolution states that "the rising price of medicines (by up to 30%) is having a negative impact on the (...)

[EPT] Medical devices - Regulation (recast) - Medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices (17 April 2013)

Medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. The term “medical device” covers an extremely diverse range of healthcare instruments – from simple bandages and dressings to tongue depressors, medical thermometers and blood sugar meters to pacemakers and life-supporting products, as well as eHealth devices which communicate remotely. The medical devices industry constitutes a key sector for healthcare. It is one of the most dynamic sectors, improving and saving (...)

Ageing populations- Council conclusions on the sustainability of public finances

After the economic and financial affairs Council meeting, the Council has stated that in order to fight the economic and financial crisis and enhance sustainable growth, EU Member States have to ensure progress towards long-term fiscal sustainability of public finances. Further implementations of structural reforms should be done in accordance with the Europe 2020 strategy. According to positive developments related to life expectancy, more attention has to be paid to ageing population (...)

Women and cervical cancer in the EU

On the occasion of the European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the European Institute of Women’s Health (EIWH), an EPHA member, presented its policy brief "Women and cervical cancer in the EU: promoting cervical cancer prevention" emphasising the need to reach a consensus across the European Union to put an end to the existing disparities between Member States. With 31 300 women developing the disease and 13 600 dying of it every year in the EU, cervical cancer remains the second (...)

Chain of TRUST Closing Conference identifies key areas for improving trust and acceptability of telehealth

The ’’Chain of TRUST’’, a project to assess the perspective of the main end users of telehealth services across the EU, closing conference took place on 24 January 2013. The project examined the obstacles for the successful uptake of telehealth by their principal users, however the discussions went beyond the (still contested) notion of telehealth and provided useful food for thought on the wider challenges that the European eHealth sector is currently facing. (...)

Roundtable on Clinical Trials

Hosted by the European Policy Centre (EPC), this EPC’s Coalition for Health, Ethics and Society (CHES) roundtable on the revision of the Clinical Trials legislation provided an opportunity for EPHA to present its Position on the policy dossier and exchange views with stakeholders including representatives of the European Commission, industry and an NGO representing older people. The roundtable was kicked off by Stefano Soro, Head of unit for Medicinal Products – quality, safety (...)

Revised Digital Agenda aims to boost economic growth and innovation

Following a comprehensive policy review, the European Commission published an updated Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) on 18 December, which identifies seven new key areas to stimulate the conditions for creating growth and jobs in Europe. The focus is largely economic and eInclusion is not very pronounced, however it is hoped that in combination with the existing goals they can contribute to bridging the digital divide, especially for vulnerable groups and patients less likely or able to (...)

Council conclusions on Healthy Ageing across the Lifecycle

The December meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) adopted a set of conclusions on Healthy Ageing. It asks for a rethink of health systems towards more prevention. The Council also calls for a new Alcohol Strategy, to replace the current mandate which endsed in 2012. Europe’s population is rapidly ageing, which is challenging, among others, pillars of welfare , pensions, and healthcare systemss. The 2012 European Year for active ageing (...)

EPHA Position on Medical Devices Revision

Following the Commission proposals for a Regulation on Medical Devices and on In Vitro Medical Devices released in September 2012, EPHA has developed a position paper highlighting, inter alia, the importance of the provisions related to patient safety; the responsibilities of the notified bodies, and improved traceability. The EPHA Position on Medical Devices is supportive of the objectives - and legal format - of the Commission’s proposal which aims at ensuring a high level of human (...)

CAMbrella urges coordinated approach to Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) research

The final CAMbrella conference took place on 29 November 2012, showcasing the fruit of the 3-year pan-European CAM research project - the long-awaited ’’Roadmap for European CAM Research’’ that includes the findings of the work packages and provides conclusions and recommendations for a future research agenda. To kick off the conference, Dr. Wolfgang Weidenhammer, CAMbrella project coordinator based at University of Munich, recalled that CAMbrella is a so-called (...)