EFA

On the 3rd of December, the Belgian Presidency of the EU, along with EFPIA (the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) and HST (the Health Science and Technology Group), held a day-long event on 21st Century Healthcare for Europe. The event examined two main themes: reducing inequalities and fostering innovation in EU healthcare. The fact that health inequalities amongst Member States are increasing instead of declining dominated the debate, and different methods of addressing this were discussed. All agreed that healthcare must become a key investment for society - not only despite but because of the current economic crisis, as investment in health is also investment in a more sustainable future. Education, health literacy, the importance of prevention, giving a stronger voice to patients and the creation of new technologies were all singled out as fundamental to this. Innovation must therefore play a central role in European Healthcare systems, and as it too plays an important role in the fight against inequality. Speakers highlighted the need for strong encouragement of the innovation sector, the promotion of more Public-Private Partnerships and the redirection of funding to promote R&D and innovative research initiatives in Europe. Patricia Murray from the EFA Office represented EFA at this event.