About: access to medicine

French pilot project may cast new light on access to medical cannabis

A landmark experimentation recently authorised in France can foster patient access to medicinal cannabis in the country and become a role model for Europe.

Early stakeholder dialogues crucial for success of rare orphan medicines

Early dialogue between stakeholders is crucial for the effective development and success of rare orphan drugs, used to treat patients with rare diseases, Anna Bucsics, project adviser at the mechanism of coordinated access to orphan medicinal products (MoCA), told EURACTIV in an interview.

COVID-19 pandemic hinders access to care for patients with rare diseases

Nine out of ten people living with rare diseases across Europe have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including three out of ten who said that this has caused “life-threatening” disruption, according to a recent study by EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe.

Call for action over medicine shortages exacerbated by COVID-19 outbreak

Stakeholders across the EU are calling for action on medicine shortages, which they say pose severe threats to patient outcomes, patient safety and patient care. A new report released on Monday (27 April) hopes to help plug the gap.

Health Commissioner unveils roadmap for EU cancer plan

The Commission will kick-off the discussion on the 'Europe's beating cancer plan' next 4 February on the occasion of the world cancer day, while the communication and action plan itself is expected towards the end of 2020, Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides announced.

EU should adopt German standards on medical cannabis, campaigners say

Germany's regulatory approach to medical cannabis is good practice and should be replicated across Europe, according to newly-born European Medicinal Cannabis Association (EUMCA).

Czech drug policy shifts toward patients with rare diseases

The Czech government has launched a legislative initiative to improve access to most modern medications and rare disease drugs, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch told EURACTIV in an interview, adding that patients are involved in the decision-making process at a very early stage, including in drafting the law.

Investment in digital health and access to drugs at the core of Austrian Presidency

Austria’s EU Presidency will focus on “strong” investment in digital health as well as on regulatory issues when it comes to access to medicines, Dr Clemens Martin Auer told EURACTIV.com in an interview. Dr Clemens Martin Auer is the president of the...

Africa takes steps to make medicine more affordable

Faced with the numerous difficulties of access to medicine in Africa, African states want to organise the market to increase local production, which currently accounts for 3% of world output.

Leading the charge against fake medicine, Africa’s silent killer

Low quality and fake medicines kill tens of thousands of people each year, most of them in developing countries. Yet data and political action to address the enormous human and economic cost is distinctly thin on the ground.