Clinical trials
UK biotech boasts Europe’s best pipeline as Brexit looms
Britain's biotech sector boasts the strongest new drug pipeline in Europe but industry leaders say it needs continued access to global talent, funding and regulatory clarity to thrive in the future - all of which could be jeopardised by Brexit.
African Union EU rep: ‘Africa shouldn’t just be a spectator to global decisions’
The African Unions EU representative, Ajay Bramdeo, told EURACTIV Germany that plans for a Marshall Plan for Africa are fundamentally good but warned that the continent needs to be the focus and that healthcare must be the priority.
Allowing patients to choose could save billions
The Commission’s recent musings on the social dimension of Europe touches on common drug pricing among member states. But it misses out on solutions for faster access to medicine, Fred Roeder.
The Commission’s innovation confusion
Unless the European Commission changes its attitude, the innovation gap between Europe and the US will likely increase, and it could be overtaken soon by China, with dire consequences for living standards, warns Philip Stevens.
Rare cancers: A headache for policymakers
The complexity of diagnosing and treating rare forms of cancers like sarcomas can be addressed by a multi-level approach and better coordination among member states, insist experts in the field.
Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing
Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.
Germany votes to ease access to medical marijuana
The German Bundestag today (19 January) unanimously passed legislation granting seriously ill patients easier access to medical marijuana. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Tattoos could pose health risk says new Commission report
Ink used in tattoo parlours can contain low-purity pigments that are not meant to be applied to the skin and may pose a health risk, according to a European Commission report. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Alzheimer Europe chief: Holistic approach needed to tackle dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia remain underdiagnosed in most European countries, Jean Georges told EURACTIV.
Andriukaitis: Health Technology Assessment will make EU healthcare ‘sustainable’
EXCLUSIVE / National healthcare systems should embrace the digital era and use Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to become truly sustainable and cost-effective, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
EU’s sunbed safety assessment clouded by bias
An upcoming assessment by a European Commission committee on the risks of UV radiation and sunbeds is hamstrung by in-built bias and a failure to comprehensively address all the issues, warns Frank Harbusch.
Brexit casts doubt over Uganda development project on lung disease
The UK's vote to leave the European Union has come at a crucial moment in the development of an international medical project that throws into sharp relief the state of flux Brexit has cast over collaborative research, says Jack Barton.
EU drugs agency to unveil results on ‘early medicines’ project this week
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will this week publish the much-awaited results of a pilot project on the early marketing authorisation of drugs, EURACTIV has learnt.
Pharma expert: new ‘value added medicines’ offer cheaper, customised treatment
A new breed of drugs, called “value added medicines”, could help patients improve their everyday life while in treatment, without increasing healthcare budgets, Christoph Stoller said in an interview with EURACTIV.com
New medical devices rules should avoid ‘unnecessary’ red tape, industry says
The implementation of new rules on medical devices should avoid extra burdens and unnecessary bureaucracy, health industry officials have told EURACTIV.com.
EU project hopes to phase out animal-testing
When chemicals are considered too dangerous to be tested on humans, animals have long been the answer to some scientific quandaries. The EU project ToxRisk will act as Europe's flagship for safety assessments that do not require the use of animals. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Food industry wants common science principles to boost trust
The EU's food and drinks industry has developed a set of principles for research conduct that will apply to the sector.
Ben Goldacre: Pharma industry has destroyed its own reputation
EXCLUSIVE: The great tragedy for the pharmaceutical industry is that it keeps denying that it lobbies against transparency in clinical trials, says Ben Goldacre.
EU Ombudsman: Clinical trials face new transparency challenges
Medical researchers in Europe are facing new challenges over access to clinical trials data, according to the European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly.
![31 drugs intended to treat cancer were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over the past three years. 2011 [Interpharma/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/7347518562-5706bf38f1-b.jpeg)
Cancer research at a crossroads in Germany
A new EU regulation is meant to make clinical trials easier and more transparent, a pivotal tool in the fight against deadly diseases like cancer. But researchers in Germany warn that the country may lose its role as a leader in international medicine. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Growing concerns over medicines agency’s proposed rules for transparency
A growing number of health and consumer advocacy organisations are urging the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to rethink its proposals to restrict the viewing of clinical trial results ahead of a board meeting Thursday (12 June).
EU Ombudsman worried over lack of transparency at medicines agency
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has written to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), expressing concern about a significant change of clinical trial data transparency policy.
EU rules ‘mean children can’t get life-saving cancer drugs’
Children with cancer are being denied access to potentially life-saving medicines because European Union rules allow drug firms to waive the need to test some drugs in paediatric trials, researchers said on Monday (10 February).
EU Parliament, ministers agree to more clinical trial transparency in clinical trials
MEPs reached on Friday (20 December) an agreement with member states on the clinical trials directive.