It is not just about research and investment, the key to curve down asthma is people willing to achieve it. The European Asthma Research and Innovation Project (EARIP) met in Brussels to discuss how to improve collaboration and get on board all those that can make this EU-project a reality. The event was hosted by Member of the European Parliament Catherine Stihler, who also became a member of the EP Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma.
The European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership (EARIP) is an EU-funded project that aims to reduce the number of asthma deaths and hospital admission rates, speed up the discovery of new treatments and improve the daily life of people affected by asthma. EFA partners in EARIP alongside Member Asthma UK to develop coordinated pan-European asthma research activities with world leading asthma researchers. It is an ambitious project that needs commitment, investment and tons of cooperation among public institutions, researchers and healthcare professionals, and patients.
On the 15th of September, EFA organised a stakeholder meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, to share ideas on how to mobilise a change in Europe that will realise the vision of EARIP and explore how it could contribute to healthcare system change in Europe.
One of the most memorable moments of the event happened when Martine Puhl, a Dutch asthma patient, showed participants the number of medicines she needed to take with her to treat her asthma. “This is the medication I take with me for 2-3 days, this is how doctors look at me and what they are asking me when I visit them”, she explained. We the patients have many different needs, and there is not just one fix solution. The only way you can know about our needs is by talking to us and by engaging us. Then we can help you with all those puzzles to make a new way to maybe solve asthma or to live with asthma”.
What are the best national asthma programmes?
During the meeting, guided by Member of the European Parliament Catherine Stihler (UK, S&D) and moderated by Asthma UK Director Samantha Walker, Dr Selroos presented EFA EARIP deliverable on the manuscript National and regional asthma programmes in Europe: a systematic review.
What can be done at EU level?
Allergy and asthma are amongst the most prevalent chronic diseases in Europe and the EU as a key role to play to help address unmet needs of allergy and asthma patients. EFA and EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) jointly run the secretariat of the European Parliament Interest Group on Allergy and Asthma, a common effort by European allergy and asthma patients, health professionals and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) committed to fight against asthma and allergy. We are extremely honored to have Mrs Stihler MEP as a new supporter of the group and we look forward to working together to help reducing the burden of these diseases and improve the health and quality of life of people with asthma and allergy.
What’s next?
The outcomes of this meeting, together with the results of the manuscript will foster discussions during the upcoming EARIP Expert Workshop. This Expert Workshop aims at developing recommendations on effective measures for healthcare system change in asthma. The event will take place in Asthma UK’s Head Office in London on the 21st of October.
A report on the EARIP Stakeholder meeting will follow shortly.
The presentations of the different speakers can be found below:
The patients’ view – Martine Puhl, member of EARIP Patient Advisory Group WP4