In the last couple of years, rare diseases have started to be recognised as a Public Health priority and as an area of unique European added-value for Community action. Starting with the very successful Public Consultation on Rare Diseases in November 2007, followed by the adoption of the Commission Communication on Rare Diseases, in November 2008 and more recently the adoption of a Council Recommendation on a European Action in the field of Rare Diseases, each step has demonstrated the vital importance of EU action and cooperation between Member States. The two levels, European and national, are key factors of success in this area which is currently “politically weight-bearing” and which corresponds to a real need in the patient population.
After the impact on Europe of the US financial crisis two years ago, the EU is now shaken by a new crisis, a crisis of the Euro spurred by the public deficit of Member states. The future of EU is at stake, at least in its vision as a political space for peace, economic growth [...]
No doubt, the EU Cross-Border Health Care Directive is a new important legislation to improve quality and access to health services for patients!
This policy lays down the basis of the future organisation of healthcare services in the European Union and grant new rights to patients to take advantage of being European citizens. When we will [...]
This decision is part of a significant reshuffle of responsibilities assigned to each Designated Commissionner in the Barosso II European College of Commissionners. For this decision to be implemented the new Commissionners need first to be approved by the European Parliament in January / February. This transfer is an important change. All [...]
The European Union and its Member States are faced with the challenge of an emerging field in medicine: personalised medicine. Therapeutic interventions, and in particular medicinal products, are increasingly intended for well targeted and smaller patient populations.
These interventions are usually intended for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, cure or long term management of severe, debilitating, life-threatening [...]
