EFA

From the 1^st of July until the end of the year, Belgium is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. EFA welcomes the fact that Belgium’s health priorities include the fight against chronic illnesses, including respiratory diseases. More on this follows in our next eZine. Other priorities include carrying on the work on cross-border healthcare in the EU as well as on the so-called pharmaceutical package, including directives on pharmacovigilance (safety of medicines) and on counterfeit medicines. The Presidency will also focus on professionals from the health sector and determining social factors of health. Tobacco control is also an issue on the agenda, with preparation and coordination for the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Controlthat will take place 15-20 November in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Programme of the Belgium presidency Calendar of the Council during Belgium presidency