EFA participated to the Seminar on Health Technology Assessment organised by the European Patients Forum (EPF) on May 19th. It involved more than 80 patient organisations. As HTA is becoming a priority at the EU level, patient involvement in the process is increasing, but still in an ad hoc way. The Seminar gave an overview of HTA, of the political challenges behind it and of the growing cooperation in Europe. Participants discussed in workshops the barriers and opportunities for patients and their associations to be involved in HTA. Source: EPF Press release: EPF seminar agrees meaningful involvement of patients in HTA processes can make a difference to patient-centred equitable healthcare throughout Europe. Presentations by speakers at the event are available at EPF website. Susanna Palkonen, EFA Executive Officer, participated to the Annual General Meeting of the European Patient Forum on May the 20th and was re-elected as Vice-President in EPF Board. EFA also attended the Smoke Free Partnership event “Setting the EU tobacco control Agenda and celebrating the pledge” on World No Tobacco day 31st of May. Speakers, including Commissioner for Health John Dalli insisted that consumers have the right to be informed on the deadly effect of tobacco on their health. It also focused on marketing to women. This event showed that strong warnings on tobacco product package and standardized packaging is the way forward toward a smoke free Europe. Source: Smoke Free Partnership Press release: Call for mandatory pictorial warnings and standardised packaging of tobacco products in the EU.