Public Health Policy in the EU

Latest news on the public health policy of the European Union.

54 pct of all EU deaths in 2021 due to circulatory diseases, cancer — 26 March 2024, 22:51 CET

There were 5.3 million deaths in the EU in 2021, according to figures from Eurostat, with the main causes of death across the EU being circulatory diseases, cancer and COVID-19.

Pharma reform to tackle medicines shortages in EU — 20 March 2024, 23:10 CET

An EU Parliament committee adopted proposals Wednesday to revamp EU pharmaceutical legislation to foster innovation and enhance the security of supply, accessibility and affordability of medicines.

EU strikes deal on European Health Data Space — 18 March 2024, 22:03 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached provisional agreement Friday on a new law making it easier to exchange and access health data at EU level.

Euro-Parliament backs tightening of EU toy safety rules — 13 March 2024, 19:17 CET

The EU Parliament approved its position Wednesday on revamped EU rules on toy safety, offering better protection to children from the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU single market.

EU revisions to strengthen plant health law — 06 March 2024, 23:39 CET

The EU Council and Parliament reached provisional agreement Wednesday on a targeted revision of the Plant Health Law, which aims to improve and streamline its application and enforcement.

EU states endorse measures to prevent shortages of medical devices — 21 February 2024, 23:50 CET

The EU Council endorsed Wednesday key updates to the law on medical devices, intended to help prevent shortages and ease the transition to greater transparency and access to information.

Remaining intentional uses of toxic mercury to be banned in EU — 08 February 2024, 22:21 CET

EU institutions reached political agreement Thursday to phase out use of dental amalgam and prohibit the manufacturing, import and export of a number of mercury-added products, including certain lamps.

New EU measures on vaccine-preventable cancers - guide — 01 February 2024, 11:52 CET

The European Commission on 31 January put forward a Recommendation to support EU Member States in their efforts to prevent cancer through vaccination. Notably, it focuses on boosting the uptake of two key vaccinations that can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancer: against Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), as well as improving the monitoring of coverage rates.

EU makes moves towards mercury-free Europe — 31 January 2024, 18:41 CET

The EU Council was set for talks Tuesday to phase out use of dental amalgam and prohibit the manufacturing, import and export of a number of mercury-added products, including certain lamps.

Brussels looks to improve in vitro diagnostics availability — 24 January 2024, 00:02 CET

The European Commission proposed Tuesday to improve the availability of in vitro diagnostics and extend the time for companies to apply the In Vitro Diagnostics regulation.

In vitro diagnostics and the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED) - guide — 23 January 2024, 23:48 CET

The European Commission proposed on 23 January more time for companies to apply the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), under certain conditions, as well as measures to enhance transparency in the medical device sector including speeding up the launch of some elements of the European Database on Medical Devices - EUDAMED.

Brussels opens participation to Critical Medicines Alliance — 16 January 2024, 18:55 CET

The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) launched Tuesday an open call for expression of interest to join the Critical Medicines Alliance.

EU acts to address shortage of critical medicines — 24 October 2023, 23:43 CET

The European Commission adopted Tuesday a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond.

Medicine Shortages in the EU - guide — 24 October 2023, 21:27 CET

The European Commission adopted on 24 October a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond.

New funding puts world on verge of eradicating polio — 11 October 2023, 23:50 CET

The EU, European Investment Bank and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced Wednesday a new finance partnership to eradicate polio and ensure health innovations are accessible to those who need them most.

EU green light for better protection from asbestos — 03 October 2023, 18:35 CET

The European Parliament gave its green light Tuesday to new rules to protect EU workers from the health risks related to asbestos and to improve the early detection of asbestos.

EU institutions strike deal on sustainable and flexible fee system — 26 September 2023, 12:23 CET

EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional deal Monday on a regulation to modernise and simplify the structure of fees payable to the European Medicines Agency.

EU issues new Ecolabel criteria for hygiene products, menstrual cups — 14 September 2023, 22:34 CET

The Commission adopted updated EU Ecolabel criteria for absorbent hygiene products Thursday with stronger standards for tampons, pads and nappies, and new criteria for reusable menstrual cups.

EU acts to prevent winter shortages of antibiotics — 17 July 2023, 21:51 CET

The Commission and the European Medicines Agency issued recommendations Monday for avoiding shortages of key antibiotics used to treat respiratory infections in the next winter season.

Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA) — 17 July 2023, 21:46 CET

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA) department’s mission is to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to health emergencies. HERA, created in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, will anticipate threats and potential health crises, through intelligence gathering and building the necessary response capacities.

EU mercury ban to end use of dental amalgam — 17 July 2023, 21:52 CET

A revision of the EU's Mercury Regulation, proposed Friday by the EU Commission, would fully prohibit the use of dental amalgam, which currently uses 40 tonnes of mercury in the EU annually.

EU steps up fight against antimicrobial resistance — 13 June 2023, 23:33 CET

The EU Council adopted Tuesday a recommendation aimed at stepping up EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the fields of human health, animal health and the environment.

Brussels sets out new approach to mental health — 07 June 2023, 22:51 CET

A new approach to mental health, set out Wednesday by the Commission, looks to put mental health on a par with physical health and ensure a new, cross sectoral approach to mental health issues.

EU Commission agreement with BioNTech-Pfizer on the delivery of vaccines - guide — 26 May 2023, 23:27 CET

The EU Commission, acting with EU states and vaccine developers BioNTech-Pfizer, reached an agreement on 26 May to better address Member States' assessment of evolving needs for COVID-19 vaccines.

EU pharma legislation set for major reform — 27 April 2023, 21:42 CET

The Commission proposed Wednesday the largest reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation in over 20 years - with the aims of promoting innovation and ensuring patient access to affordable medicines.