About: patients
MEPs step up action to protect terminally ill workers in the EU
A group of EU lawmakers has taken the UK-led “Dying to Work” campaign to the EU in an effort to mobilise support for terminally ill patients across Europe, who face unfair treatment at work.
How patient groups could help tackle ‘fake news’ on vaccination
Patient groups play a crucial role in providing the right information and thus tackling fake news on vaccination, according to experts, who say this is increasingly necessary to restore confidence in this field.
Health care risks being forgotten in Brexit talks, industry warns
Health risks being forgotten in Brexit negotiations, potentially delaying the availability of new medicines and imposing large costs on manufacturers, public health leaders have warned.
Empower cancer patients to improve quality of life, say experts
A group of metastatic breast cancer experts has urged policymakers to empower patients with greater choice and participation in their treatment and care, to improve the quality of life of patients, their carers and families.
EU lawmakers push for better outcomes for metastatic breast cancer patients
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) kills half a million women in the EU every year, yet progress on the quality of life and survival time of MBC patients remains elusive. MEPs addressed the need to improve patient outcomes with a policy roadmap launched on Tuesday (17 October).
Dutch health minister: EMA relocation is not entertainment, listen to the Commission
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is not a toy to be played with by politicians, Edith Schippers told EURACTIV.com. The decision on the agency's relocation should be based on the European Commission's assessment, she argues in an interview.
Drug agency relocation talks divide old and new EU members
The debate over where to relocate the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) after Brexit has divided the other 27 EU member states, despite calls for an urgent decision from the drugs industry and patient groups.
EU Parliament demands clarity in public funding of drugs R+D
A European Parliament resolution adopted yesterday (2 March) called for transparency and clarity of public funding on research and development of new drugs, claiming that in such cases public investment should be reflected in the price of drugs.
Health matters should supersede European bureaucracy
European red tape should not be an obstacle to effective healthcare. For patients with diseases like sarcoma, waiting means suffering and often avoidable death, writes Marlene Mizzi.
Patients group: ‘Access to healthcare is a basic EU citizens’ right’
The European Parliament elections and the nomination of a new Commission next year offer a fresh opportunity for patients to encourage policymakers to commit to a healthier Europe, says Anders Olauson.
Private clinics deny patients treatment as Greece’s health system collapses
Greece's private healthcare clinics said on Tuesday (29 October) that they would not accept patients insured by the country's main healthcare facility, the National Organisation for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY), because the organisation owes €800 million in private healthcare facilities, according to the newspaper Ekathimerini.
Parliament wants tougher medical devices control without extra burdens for SMEs
The European Parliament on Tuesday (22 October) voted to improve the control on medical devices via strengthened traceability rules and transparency of information for patients and medical staff, but without creating additional burdens for small manufacturers.Parliament wants stricter control on medical devices
The European Parliament on Tuesday (22 October) voted to improve the control for medical devices via strengthened traceability rules and transparency of information for patients and medical staff, but without creating additional burden for small manufacturers.MEPs can make an informed decision on medical devices in Europe
On 22 October, the Parliament will vote to decide the course of the EU's Medical Devices Regulation, but several of the amendments proposed by the ENVI Committee could endanger patients, in particular one that allows for the re-use of all medical devices, says Serge Bernasconi.Strong data protection rules for high-quality healthcare
Health and medical data need specific attention when legislation on data protection is at stake. Patients’ data contain highly sensitive information and require particularly strict protection and security mechanisms against any unauthorised access, mismanagement, or identity theft, says Katrín Fjeldsted.
Professor: Early intervention can prevent many diseases causing blindness
SPECIAL REPORT / Diseases that can cause blindness, such as diabetes-related complications, can be prevented with better healthcare. The EU should therefore ensure that statistics on blindness in Europe are more uniform so that best practices can be exchanged between member states, says Michael Larsen.A few points that MEPs must consider ahead of medical devices vote
The European Parliament will vote soon on medical devices regulation, but a new set of amendments, which most MEPs have not had the time to assess, are being rushed through, says Serge Bernasconi.Medical devices rules: Patients’ safety must be reinforced
The inadequacy of the EU's legislation on medical devices was highlighted by several recent serious safety problems. In order to regain citizens’ trust, the European Union must reinforce its legislative framework, write several associations.
EU countries singled out for misguided healthcare budget cuts
While some cuts in national healthcare budgets may have improved the sector's efficiency, some doctors say EU countries' choices were often misguided and ended up harming patients.
Health experts critical of pharma industry’s new transparency rules
The European pharmaceutical industry association EFPIA has published new ethical commitments on clinical trials aimed at allaying accusations that a lack of transparency on how new drugs are tested is hurting patients. Critics however are unconvinced.
US doctors look with envy at Europe’s medical devices approval scheme
SPECIAL REPORT / The scrutiny procedure on medical devices in the US is so strict that American doctors say the system works against the interest of patients, leaving some waiting years for treatment that could save their lives. European doctors now start to worry that a similar system envisaged in the EU could have the same impact.
Patient groups: Safety first in new medical devices regulation
SPECIAL REPORT / Recent health scandals involving faulty breast implants and toxic replacement hips have illustrated the need to strengthen safety checks on medical devices in the EU, according to patient groups. A new EU regulation currently in the works must rectify this by putting patient safety first, they argue.
EU at crossroads on new medical devices legislation
SPECIAL REPORT / While the EU institutions, industry, health campaigners and doctors all agree that the European approval system for medical devices – ranging from contact lenses to pacemakers – needs to be updated, the way forward on how to do it leaves politicians and stakeholders divided.