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- Ελληνικά
Health Minister Michalis Damianos attended the European Union (EU) Health Council which took place today, Friday, 21 June 2024 in Luxembourg.
The main topic of discussion was the review package of the EU pharmaceutical legislation. In his intervention, the Minister supported the new proposed incentive leverage system proposed by the Commission, but with a maximum duration of protection of 11 years instead of 12 years. As regards incentives for placing pharmaceutical products on the market, he argued that these should be governed by a legally binding obligation on marketing authorisation holders to make the pharmaceutical product available in all member states. The aim is equal access for EU patients to all innovative pharmaceutical products.
Ministers also endorsed Council Conclusions on the future of the European Health Union, which aim for "a Europe that cares, prepares and protects". In supporting the text of the Conclusions, Damianos stressed that health should be kept high on the agenda of the new Commission. The Health Ministers also adopted a Council Recommendation on vaccine-treated cancers.
At the initiative of Spain, action on the health crisis in the Gaza Strip was also discussed. The Minister advocated a coordinated effort by the Commission and EU Member States regarding the needs arising for the transfer of injured children from Gaza to the EU for treatment on the basis of national capacities. At the same time, he briefed on the Cyprus initiative for the operation of the maritime corridor for the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza via Cyprus.
Further, the Ministers of Health exchanged views on the basis of a document from Latvia, co-signed by Cyprus, on "Call for action at EU level to protect young people from harm caused by new tobacco and nicotine products" and a document from Denmark on "Strengthening efforts to protect children from the direct marketing and sale of tobacco and nicotine products, in particular on digital platforms". The aim of the above initiatives is to stop the increasing use of new tobacco products, especially by children and young people.
It is noted that the Czech Republic, supported by Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, also raised the issue of the impact of excessive national stockpiling strategies on solidarity within the EU.
During the working lunch, ministers exchanged views on equal access to health services in EU member states. The Minister of Health, in his intervention, argued that in order to ensure access to high quality health care, the demand for services should be properly managed, effective regulation and monitoring of different services and sectors should be strengthened through legislation, shortages of qualified health workers, especially nurses, should be addressed and the financial autonomy of public hospitals should be ensured. He also stressed that maximum funding for projects in the health sector should be ensured. Finally, he welcomed the creation of the Health Investment Hub, as it offers the opportunity for Member States to test investment solutions and maximise the impact of EU support on strategic investments and quality spending.
(B]PIO[/B]
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