About: healthcare systems

No need to stargaze, digitalisation in healthcare is already here, say health experts

Using digital tools to deliver care more efficiently presents a massive opportunity to relieve Europe’s strained healthcare systems, but the enormous potential of this technology carries significant ethical and environmental considerations, EURACTIV heard at a recent event. 

Everyone gains from investing in the health and gender equality of women and children

Five million women and children die every year from entirely preventable causes. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) supports the 50 countries with the greatest needs by investing in their health systems but that is not enough, writes Mariam Claeson.

Roche CEO: US, China dominate healthcare innovation, EU lags ‘far behind’

The US is leading in healthcare innovation, China is catching up at high speed and Europe is just watching the global developments, Roche CEO Severin Schwan warned on Monday (28 May). EURACTIV.com reports from Dublin.

Pharma boss: Incentives based on outcomes will optimise EU healthcare

An outcomes-based approach for incentives in the pharmaceutical sector would help optimise the entire healthcare systems, Nathalie Moll told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

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.

Big data revolution and EU healthcare

The ongoing big data revolution could have a significant impact on health policies in the EU. EU policymakers say the big data could considerably change the way healthcare policies are shaped. Through a data-driven approach, health systems will be more...

Andriukaitis: Big data has ‘enormous’ potential to optimise healthcare

The healthcare sector generates massive volumes of data, which has “immense potential” to protect and promote health and to improve healthcare and cure, according to Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis.

Andriukaitis: National health systems need ‘fundamental reform’

EU countries could save money and lives by increasing investment in disease prevention and health promotion, the European Commission said on Thursday (23 November), stressing that good health policy requires political will across all sectors.

Estonian official: Coalition of the willing can ‘drive’ healthcare data in Europe

As long as the political will exists, a coalition of EU member states can speed up the healthcare data mobility in Europe and start showing results in a cross-border manner in order for others to join, an Estonian government official told EURACTIV.

Southern EU states present unified front in drug talks

Six southern member states have signed a common declaration, aiming to enhance their cooperation and jointly negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry on drug pricing.

Greece creates e-platform to tackle corruption in healthcare

Greece's health ministry announced this week the creation of an electronic platform designed to tackle corruption in the healthcare system and protect patients’ “dignity”.

EU regions call for better integration of healthcare systems

The Committee of the Regions on Wednesday (22 March) made the case for better integration between the EU’s healthcare systems, to close “inequalities” between member states and ensure that “everyone has access to healthcare”. EURACTIV Spain reports.

Commission’s digital health strategy will help EU patients

A new European Commission task force aimed at further developing the digital strategy in health will significantly help Europe’s healthcare systems and thus their patients, writes Denis Horgan.

Commission must bring healthcare to the fore

Given that the current European Commission has not prioritised healthcare, it looks as though it is up to the European Parliament to push the agenda, writes Denis Horgan.

OECD criticises ‘ineffective spending’ in healthcare

Health spending in countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is "at best ineffective and at worst wasteful", a new report has found.

E-health and the ‘fine line’ of big data

The introduction of digital technology in healthcare systems might be viewed by health stakeholders in a positive light. However, policymakers are yet to address issues related to data collection and use that are considered crucial in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes.

Medical community alarmed by global rise in diabetes cases

The rise of diabetes is causing avoidable deaths and imposing substantial costs on ailing healthcare systems. Alarmed, lawmakers are attempting to improve prevention and get the emerging pandemic under control.

EU citizens enjoy longer lives, but not health equality

Europeans live almost 7 years more compared to 1990, but this does not necessarily mean that these years are healthy, a new report has found.

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.

Bulgarian health minister: Drugs availability part of regional cooperation

Bulgaria and Romania will soon sign an intergovernmental agreement to jointly negotiate the pricing and availability of medicines with pharmaceutical companies, Bulgarian Health Minister Petar Moskov said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.

Eliminating viral hepatitis, a ‘silent killer’

The target of eliminating viral hepatitis infection by 2030 is achievable, especially in Europe. But on a global scale, new healthcare funding mechanisms are needed for the dream to become a reality, writes Pierre Van Damme.