In January, Romania took over the EU Council Presidency for the first time since the country joined the EU in 2007. Until June 2018, Romania will ensure the follow up on key policies, such as the HTAon In their agenda, are the financial growth, security, social cohesion, and the global role of the EU.
At EFA we are pleased to take note that also several health policy aspects touching upon our work are expected to be addressed: access to affordable and innovative medicines, the advance of eHealth, and vaccination. Regarding access to healthcare, Romania will focus on a topic that really touches the population from lower income countries, tackling drug shortages and enhancing patients’ rights. On digital health, Romania will organise a European conference on eHealth in Bucharest during the EU ‘Digital Week’ in June. Finally, the Romanian government plans to take awareness-raising initiatives to improve vaccination coverage.
In the legislative field, the ongoing highly political HTA Regulation shall be tackled to achieve further progress during the period of the Romanian presidency in view of the Finnish presidency, which is the next one. The Health Attaché for the Romanian Permanent Representation to the EU is Stefan-Gheorge Staicu, previously Minister of Health in Romania. EFA is glad that during this period, we will also have the follow up with the Romanian patients, who are committed to establish a national allergy and airways patient association. Go Romania!