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| | | 🟡 Commissioner-designate hearings |
| | MEPs sceptical about Orban’s pick: Várhelyi |
| Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi will face a grilling from MEPs at 6:30 today.
During his hearing, Várhelyi will have to face a double challenge: reassuring MEPs regarding his knowledge of health, but also regarding his ties with Hungary's Prime minister Viktor Orban.
LGBT and reproductive rights: For the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), reproductive health will be a priority. "We will remind him of the government he comes from, who appointed him, and what that means in terms of abortion rights for women, support for transgender people, and the LGBT community. In short, what Orbán denies to his own population and stigmatises," Nora Mebarek, head of the French delegation of the S&D, told Euractiv.
Budget: The budget has become a central issue, given the dramatic cuts to the EU4Health programme. MEPs are currently in a battle with the EU Council to secure an increase of €110 million for the health budget, compared to the €580 million proposed by the European Commission for 2025. They will want Várhelyi’s support.
“Idiots”: In addition to the questions regarding his portfolio, Várhelyi is expected to answer questions on the controversies he’s sparked.
Some MEPs, like German Peter Liese (EPP), want him to offer a formal apology after he insulted MEPs by calling them "idiots" in Strasbourg in February 2023.
At the time, Várhelyi merely expressed regret, describing the incident as a “misunderstanding" and adding that his words were "taken out of context".
Support/reject/change portfolio: There are three options on the table: supporting the candidate, rejecting him and asking additional questions and/or a further hearing, or modify his portfolio.
At this moment the EPP is inclined, despite internal divisions, to support his candidature. The S&D would prefer the candidate to be rejected, while Renew Europe is still weighing up whether to reject him or reduce his portfolio. In the latter scenario, the Hungarian candidate could potentially have health responsibilities modified or removed.
As for all hearings, MEPs will evaluate Várhelyi’s performance immediately after it takes place. If a two-thirds majority is not reached, he may have to undergo a further hearing, followed by a majority vote
Between the two hearings, Ursula von der Leyen could decide to redefine the candidate’s portfolio. Read the full story here. [CBB and TM] Back to the top |
| | Research Commissioner Zaharieva’s hearing short on detail on Life Sciences Strategy |
| At her confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Commissioner-designate for Research, Ekaterina Zaharieva was questioned about her plans for research and innovation.
She discussed startups, funding and AI, and mentioned a life science strategy though didn’t offer much additional information on health-related research, “I will make sure that the life sciences strategy and the biotechnology strategy will support science that can facilitate the approval of safe, new technology.”
Zaharieva was approved as the new Research Commissioner later in the day. Back to the top |
| | 🟡 Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive |
| | Pharma sector continues to push back on burden of waste water legislation |
| Final approval of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive has been met with consternation by the pharma sector.
The European Federation of Pharmaceuticals Industry Association (EFPIA) and the Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP), issued a joint statement on the Council’s recent approval.
Disproportionate: Jurate Svarcaite, Director General, AESGP, said, “Doing our best to protect the environment is a societal obligation for which we are all responsible [...], however, it is highly disproportionate that the modernization of sewage treatment plants, as well as their continued operations, should be funded solely by two sectors (pharma and cosmetics).”
This view was echoed by Director General, EFPIA, Nathalie Moll, who said: “Questions remain regarding the legitimacy of a decision which sees just two sectors carrying the financial responsibility for cleaning of the entirety of societal micro-pollution”.
Tsunami of shortages: In a separate statement from the generic pharma sector, Medicines for Europe, the association said that extra costs, “would create a tsunami of generic medicine shortages, have catastrophic consequences on patient access to medicines and the sustainability of healthcare systems in Europe.”
All of the associations pointed out that sixteen member states, (Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia) had also expressed reservations.
A Commission source told Euractiv that the potential effects of Extended Producer Responsibility on the pharmaceutical industry had been carefully assessed, “The impact assessment showed that the potential on pharmaceutical prices and/or reduction of the margin profits of industry are marginal [...] Even if the costs were underestimated by a factor of two, affordability and accessibility would not be in danger.” Back to the top |
| | | | European Cancer Leagues honour Kyriakides |
| The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) has awarded outgoing Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, with the ECL’s annual honorary award in recognition of her efforts to fight cancer through the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
Accepting the award, Kyriakides said, “It’s a mission that could not be closer to my heart as my own cancer experience has always been a big part of my journey.” She said that she had tried to represent “the voice of patients”. Acknowledging that there was still much to do, she said, “We must keep the fight against cancer at the top of the European political agenda for every patient, every family, every caregiver.” Back to the top |
| | PFAS present in European cosmetics, finds European Chemicals Agency |
| Toxic chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs, or better known as ‘forever chemicals’) were found in 6 percent of European cosmetics, found an investigation from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
The agency inspected almost 4,500 products in countries including Germany, Italy and Sweden, and found 285 cosmetics containing chemicals the EU has banned due to their toxic effects on health and the environment. “Consumers should be aware that the restricted substances were found in different types of cosmetic products, from various sellers and at all price ranges,” said the ECHA in a statement.
At yesterday’s hearing of Jessika Roswall, Commissioner-designate for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy portfolio, the candidate announced her intention to address PFAS to reduce human and environmental exposure to these harmful chemicals, including a ban on using them in consumer products.
The proposal will be part of a review of the REACH regulation on chemicals and a new chemicals industry package to be proposed in 2025.
Why it matters: Chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), present in lipsticks, eyeshadows, moisturizers, and more, can stay in our bodies for a very long time. Additionally, strong evidence has tied them to different types of cancer, such as thyroid, breast and kidney cancers. [EP] Back to the top |
| | | | Elderly non-EU citizens more likely to report bad health than EU counterparts, says Eurostat |
| Around 30% of non-EU citizens living in the EU aged 65 years or over perceived themselves to be in a ‘bad’ or a ‘very bad’ state of health, compared to 16.6% of older citizens from other EU countries and 18.3% of nationals reporting the same states of health, according to a study from Eurostat released Monday (4 November).
The reason for this discrepancy? Some studies have found a link between immigration status, ageing and the accumulation of chronic diseases. Due to inequalities between migrants and non-migrants in access to healthcare services, this leads to an increased risk of unmet medical needs, on top of higher incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in those populations. Back to the top |
| | | | | French MPs to discuss end-of-life bill in January |
| France - Parliamentary debates on the end of life will resume on Monday 27 January, the French government and the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, announced on Tuesday (5 November).
“At the Conference of Presidents, I obtained a commitment from the government to include the end-of-life text on the agenda for the weeks of 27 January and 3 February. The Assembly is ready to move forward on this new right awaited by so many French people. It's about time,” wrote Braun-Pivet on X.
MPs' work on the end-of-life bill proposal was interrupted when President Macron dissolved the National Assembly following the defeat of his party at the the European elections on 9 June. The text was to legalise assisted suicide and, in some cases, euthanasia, with strict conditions and without using these terms, preferring to refer to “active assistance in dying”. [CBB] Back to the top |
| | Belgium launches NEED project focused on unmet medical needs |
| Belgium - The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre and Sciensano, in collaboration with several Belgian institutions, have launched the first version of a NEED database to address unmet medical needs.
NEED, which stands for Needs Examination, Evaluation and Dissemination will collect evidence on unmet health-related needs via a literature review, a patient survey, individual patient interviews, expert opinion and/or database analysis.
The evidence gathered should be helpful to policymakers, healthcare innovators, and researchers. The idea is that it will help guide the development and prioritisation of activities in a resource-constrained environment.
"This is crucial to ensure that innovation and healthcare policies are driven by the actual unmet needs of patients and society rather than being supply-driven," the KCE told Euractiv.
According to the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre: "Too often, innovation is concentrated in areas that have already been well explored - particularly those with large patient populations or lower financial risks. This sometimes results in new health interventions that offer only marginal added value for patients and society while leaving other areas unaddressed."
"This evidence can inform a wide range of solutions, including prevention strategies, pharmacological interventions, and social support measures," said the representative of KCE.
For healthcare innovators, the database helps identify innovation gaps and prioritise R&D activities. "It allows them to target development efforts within disease areas that most affect patients' lives or societal burden," explained KCE.
Diseases in focus: In the short term, the database includes data on three health conditions: Crohn's disease, malignant melanoma, and long COVID, with evidence on schizophrenia and chronic fatigue syndrome to be added in the coming year. Read more here. [NV] Back to the top |
| | Poland’s pharmaceutical sector emerging as a strong economic player |
| Poland - Poland’s pharmaceutical sector has grown by more than 33% in the last five years and contributes over €4.5 billion to the economy annually, but the sector needs a stronger national strategy according to experts.
The latest figures from Poland's Central Statistical Office indicate that the pharmaceutical sector contributed approximately 0.67% to the national GDP in 2022. "To put this in perspective, this figure mirrors the budget of the National Health Fund (NFZ) dedicated to reimbursing all drugs nationwide, including the most expensive ones available only in hospitals," Krzysztof Kopeć, President of the Polish Association of Pharmaceutical Producers, told Euractiv.
The industry employs approximately 81,200 people, representing about 1.1% of total manufacturing employment in Poland, and offers wages 46% higher than the national industrial average.
Professor Ewelina Nojszewska of the Warsaw School of Economics and co-author of the report 'Macroeconomic Impact of the Pharmaceutical Sector on the Polish Economy’ said, "It's an attractive industry, drawing in skilled workers and ensuring high added value per person, which in turn fosters a dynamic of innovation."
Poland's domestic pharmaceutical production holds a strong position in the national market, with nearly half of all reimbursed drugs produced by Polish companies.
"The sector contributes over PLN 4 billion ( €900 million) in taxes and levies, meaning that the domestic pharmaceutical industry effectively self-funds its share of drug reimbursements," Kopeć points out. Read more here. [PM] Back to the top |
| | | | | | | | Commissioner-designate hearings 9:00 Hadja Lahbib (Belgium, Renew), Preparedness and Crisis Management, Equality 18:30 Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary) Health and Animal Welfare |
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| | Conclusions on the improvement of cardiovascular health in the European Union and Council Recommendation on smoke-and aerosol-free environments |
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| | INB, Pandemic Agreement, Geneva |
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| | Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT): 6-8 November |
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| | Medicine Shortages Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Working Party |
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| | | | Working Party on Public Health |
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| | Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices |
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| | #EUHPP Live Webinar: Towards an EU Coordination Plan for the Brain |
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| | INB, Pandemic Agreement, Geneva |
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| | | | Informal European Council of heads of government, Budapest |
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| | INB, Pandemic Agreement, Geneva |
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| | | | | | | Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices |
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| | | | | | Today’s brief was brought to you by Euractiv’s Health team |
| | | | | Today’s briefing was prepared by the Health team: Catherine Feore, Clara Bauer-Babef, Emma Pirnay, Thomas Mangin, and Lydia Williams. Additional reporting by Paulina Mozolewska and Nicole Verbeeck. Share your feedback or information with us at [email protected]. |
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