Health Priorities
As of 1st July 2012, Cyrpus is taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Together with the two other countries of the Trio (Poland and Denmark) the Cypriot Government has established a program covering seven priority areas and actions that it will support in the Health sector:
Healthy ageing across lifestyle:
In the light of the current economic crisis and the ageing of population, the Cyprus Presidency will focus on the need to review the structure of health care services and redirect investments for cost reduction in the healthcare sector.
Serious Cross border threats to health:
The focus will be given on advancing the discussions on this legislative proposal and on activities for promoting the regional dimension of health security and capacity building.
Organ donation and transplantation:
Relevant Council Conclusions should be endorsed with a view to invite the Member States, the European Commission and the other EU institutions to adopt concrete actions in ensuring public awareness on the importance of organ donation and transplantation and securing EU funds for the development of programmes in this field.
Pharmacovigilance:The Cyprus Presidency will closely follow-up this new legislation which is coming into force in July 2012.
Clinical Trials:
The Cyprus Presidency will take into consideration the forthcoming evaluation of the implementation of the Directive on clinical trials in view of its revision.
Transparency of measures regulating the pricing of medicinal products for human use:
In March 2012, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and Council Directive, on the transparency of measures that regulate the pricing of medicinal products for human use, as well as their inclusion in the public insurance health systems and the cancellation of Directive 89/105/EEC. The discussion of the proposal at the Working Group on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices has been initiated by the Danish Presidency and it will be continued by the Cyprus Presidency.
Medical devices:
The recent incidents with breast implants and large metal-on-metal hip replacements, revealed the need for increased coordination between the Member States in order to guarantee patient safety. The Cyprus Presidency will initiate the discussions of the new legislative proposals at the level of the EU Council.
It is also excepted that the Cyprus Presidency will also propose Council conclusions relating to the Action Plan on healthcare workforce as part of the employment package.
Upcoming events:
05.07.2012 - Communicable Diseases: A Cross Border Health Threat
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
05.09.2012 - 06.09.2012 - Healthy Ageing across the Lifecycle
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
12.10.2012 - 13.10.2012 - Innova Health Conference
Larnaca
18.10.2012 - Conference "Working together for the Future of Occupational Safety and Health in Europe"
Lefkosia
- Links:
- www.cy2012.eu/en/page/health