2023-06-14 09:34:24
Meeting within the Council of the European Union in Luxembourg on Tuesday 13 June, the European Ministers of Health discussed, for the first time, the European Commission’s proposal for the revision of European pharmaceutical regulations published in April, of which the ambition is to strengthen the pharmaceutical ecosystem to support competitiveness and equitable access to medicines. Ministers also adopted a Council recommendation on antimicrobial resistance and a general approach on the proposal for a regulation on fees payable to the European Medicines Agency.
France has proposed the establishment of a “European Day in memory of the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic”. This initiative, which has been very well received in particular by the European Commission, Spain and Belgium, which will hold the next presidencies of the European Union, could see the light of day in March 2024.
Two other proposals for regulations have been the subject of a progress report, one concerning the European health data area, the other concerning quality and safety standards for substances of human origin intended for human app.
The Swedish Presidency of the Council and the Commission briefed ministers on the progress of negotiations on an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Finally, during lunch, ministers discussed mental health and the challenge of loneliness, following on from the Commission communication on “A comprehensive approach to mental health” published on 7 June.
Strengthen the pharmaceutical ecosystem to support competitiveness and equitable access to medicines
Following the publication by the Commission on 26 April 2023 of its “pharmaceutical package”, the Swedish Presidency of the Council organized a political debate, ahead of the launch of negotiations on the content of the legislative initiatives in the second half of the year under the Spanish Presidency.
This revision of the European regulations pursues five main objectives: to ensure that all patients in the European Union have access to safe, effective and affordable medicines; increase the security of supply of medicines for patients in all Member States; offer an attractive framework open to innovation for research and development, and for the production of drugs; make medicines more environmentally friendly; offer a “One Health” approach (human, animal, environment) to the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
France underlined that support for the pharmaceutical industry must be geared towards patient needs, in particular to ensure continuity of supply of essential drugs, and while encouraging innovation.
The fight against antimicrobial resistance
As part of the “One Health” approach, the Council adopted a recommendation aimed at strengthening the actions of Member States in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is one of the priority health threats. Antimicrobial resistance is also at the heart of the European Union’s global health strategy.
French proposal to create a “European Day in memory of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic”
The pandemic has tested European populations and front-line healthcare workers have been confronted with the distress of people with Covid-19 and their relatives. While some states have already initiated national tributes, France has advocated the establishment of a European day in memory of the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a question of collectively maintaining the memory of these exceptional circumstances and celebrating European solidarity, as well as the united, resilient and strengthened Union which is the result.
This could be launched in March 2024, as part of a joint initiative by the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission. This idea with strong symbolic significance, which was very well received during the Council meeting, could be declined in the Member States via national commemorations, joint reflections to improve the daily life still impacted by the surviving victims, in particular for patients suffering from persistent symptoms and long Covid, also in line with our shared mental health ambitions.
The EPSCO Council of 13 June 2023 on the Council’s website
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