Health Guides

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New safety features for medicines sold in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 11 February 2019, 14:16 CET

As of 9 February 2019, the new rules on safety features for prescription medicines sold in the EU will apply.

European Electronic Health Record exchange format by EUbusiness — last modified 07 February 2019, 20:35 CET

The European Commission presented on 6 February a Recommendation for the creation of a secure system that will enable citizens to access their electronic health files across EU Member States.

Legislation on Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP) and Medicated Feed by EUbusiness — last modified 27 November 2018, 00:24 CET

The EU Council adopted the Regulations on the veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed on 26 November.

Cannabis use and road safety - frequently asked questions by EUbusiness — last modified 23 May 2018, 22:14 CET

What is the impact of cannabis use on driving? Do edible and smoked cannabis products affect drivers in the same way? How should the law deal with drivers who take cannabis for medical reasons? These are among the questions addressed today in a new policy briefing on cannabis and driving, published by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA).

Health Technology Assessment - background guide by EUbusiness — last modified 31 January 2018, 15:51 CET

The European Commission put forward on 31 January a proposal to boost cooperation amongst EU Member States for assessing health technology.

Tobacco track and trace system by EUbusiness — last modified 18 December 2017, 22:59 CET

A new EU-wide track and trace system adopted on 15 December 2017 is designed to ensure that tobacco products in the EU are easily traceable with a unique identifier for each product.

10 years of the EU Paediatric Regulation by EUbusiness — last modified 26 October 2017, 23:08 CET

The European Commission presented a report on 26 October to the European Parliament and the EU Council on progress made in children's medicines since the Paediatric Regulation came into force 10 years ago.

EU countries should use pesticides more sustainably: report by EUbusiness — last modified 13 October 2017, 12:12 CET

A report on the sustainable use of pesticides Directive adopted on 10 October 2017 by the European Commission takes stock of progress made by the EU Member States in applying measures to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticides. It covers a wide range of topics such as aerial spraying, information to the public or training of professionals. The report indicates insufficient implementation of the Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

European Banking Authority and European Medicines Agency after Brexit - Commission assessment of country offers by EUbusiness — last modified 03 October 2017, 18:26 CET

European Commission publishes assessment of Member State offers to host European Banking Authority and European Medicines Agency after Brexit

Rapid Alert System for Food & Feed (RASFF) by EUbusiness — last modified 10 August 2017, 23:12 CET

Launched nearly four decades ago, in 1979, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is primarily an IT tool designed to swiftly exchange information between national authorities on health risks related to food and feed.

Endocrine disruptors by EUbusiness — last modified 07 July 2017, 00:31 CET

EU Member States representatives voted on 4 July in favour of the European Commission's proposal on scientific criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in the field of plant protection products. This is seen as an important step towards greater protection of citizens from harmful substances.

Legal highs factsheet by EUbusiness — last modified 07 June 2017, 22:57 CET

What are legal highs, why are they a threat, and what should be done to tackle them - questions & answers

New EU rules to ensure safety of medical devices by EUbusiness — last modified 05 April 2017, 19:00 CET

Ranging from simple contact lenses and sticking plasters to sophisticated pacemakers and hip replacements, medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices are important to our health and quality of life. People rely on these devices every day and expect them to be safe and incorporate the latest progress in science and innovation. The current rules on the safety and performance of medical devices in the EU were harmonised in the 1990s. To reflect the substantial technological and scientific progress in this sector over the last 20 years, the European Commission proposed to update the rules to improve the safety of medical devices for EU citizens, create the conditions to modernise the sector and to consolidate its role as a global leader.

Modernisation of EU policy on health and safety at work by EUbusiness — last modified 13 January 2017, 00:24 CET

The European Commission took action on 10 January 2017 to promote and modernise Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the EU.

Trans fats by EUbusiness — last modified 26 October 2016, 22:56 CET

MEPs voted on 26 October on a resolution calling for limits on trans fats. These industrial artificially produced fats can be found in anything from fast food to bakery products, chips and margarine, however they can also prove bad for your health. Scientific research has linked heavy consumption of them with obesity, diabetes, infertility, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases.

Glyphosate factsheet by EUbusiness — last modified 02 June 2016, 01:20 CET

The Commission has called for a 'limited extension' of the current authorisation of glyphosate, an active substance used for the production of pesticides, until the European Chemical Agency gives its scientific assessment on the substance.

Smoking in the EU - revised tobacco directive in force by EUbusiness — last modified 19 May 2016, 21:36 CET

From 20 May new European legislation is in place to make smoking and cigarettes less attractive, especially among young people.

Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods: EFSA report by EUbusiness — last modified 06 May 2016, 11:45 CET

Glycerol-based process contaminants found in palm oil, but also in other vegetable oils, margarines and some processed foods, raise potential health concerns for average consumers of these foods in all young age groups, and for high consumers in all age groups.

Transmissible animal diseases - rules update by EUbusiness — last modified 10 March 2016, 18:06 CET

The European Parliament gave its endorsement on 8 March to measures to prevent and halt outbreaks of animal diseases such as avian flu or foot and mouth disease, informally agreed by MEPs and the EU Council of Ministers in June 2015. The draft EU law, on diseases that are transmissible among animals, and potentially to humans too, puts fresh emphasis on prevention and should help professionals to keep pace with scientific progress.

European Medical Corps by EUbusiness — last modified 15 February 2016, 17:25 CET

The European Union has set up a European Medical Corps (EMC) through which teams and equipment from the EU Member States can be rapidly deployed.