The European Commission has decided to start proceedings against Germany at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for restricting the free movement of medicines supplied to hospitals

In December 2006 the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) launched EudraPharm, a new medicines database.

The European Commission is currently developing a new Health Strategy to be adopted during the summer of 2007 called “Building on current work”.

Source: European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employer’s Association (HOSPEEM) launched the 33rd Hospital Sector-Based Social Dialogue Committee on 22 September 2006.

On 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union.

On 1 January 2007, Germany took over the rotating EU presidency from Finland, and therefore will organise and chair meetings of EU Ministers until 1 July 2007

On 7 November 2006, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting under the Finnish Presidency initiative failed to reach an agreement on modifying the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). The Finns had proposed a compromise that did not meet the demands of the “anti opt-out” Member State representatives, who were requesting a set end date for the opt-out option. The Finnish proposal had been to “phase out” this option.

There is a general trend within the pharmaceutical industry to trivialise the consumption of medicines and to develop a loyal relationship with customers, which is less costly than gaining new ones. The pharmaceutical industry claims it is loosing US$30 billion (€22.7 billion) every year because of patients interrupting their treatment.

Source: EPHA
The European Commission’s agenda for 2007 will be built around four overall priorities: prosperity, solidarity, security and a stronger voice in the world. There is a clear focus on prosperity - like in the 2006 agenda - with emphasis on energy, economic migration, defence industries and markets.

DG Enterprise and Industry has released a draft document on ‘Ethical considerations for clinical trials performed in children – recommendations of the Ad hoc group for the development of implementing guidelines for Directive 2001/20/EC relating to good clinical practice in the conduct of clinical trials on medicinal products for human use.'

Source: PGEU
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), pharmacists, Commission officials and competent authorities from all across the EU gathered in Brussels on 20 November to discuss issues related to the implementation of the Professional Recognition Directive*  at a seminar organised by the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU).

Source: European Commission, Information Society and Media Directorate General website .
eHealth services promise to improve the quality and provision of care while reducing costs.

On 30 November 2006 Member States will vote on the Commission's proposal of May 2006 for establishing the Community Health programme 2007-2013. The proposal builds on the achievements of the existing programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) and aligns future health action more explicitly with the overall EU objectives of prosperity, solidarity and security and seeks to further exploit synergy with other policies.

EAHP members may wish to take note of the next rotating EU presidencies in order to plan well ahead how they can influence the agenda of these presidencies, by putting forward proposals of subjects relevant to their profession to their national public health authorities.

1)    Directorate General “Health and consumer protection” to be split in two: new Commissioner designated for Consumer Affairs from January 2007
2)    Service Directive adopted by European Parliament
3)     The European Generic Agency next Regulatory Affairs meeting
4)    Deadly Corhydron found in Poland
5)    Syringes found in meat sparks food recall in Canada