Brussels, 11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Cypriot Health Minister Stavros Malas set out the health sector priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers for the European Parliament environment, public health and food safety committee on 9 July. The programme is a full one. The Presidency will pursue its basic objectives, which comprise three main strands: 1) non-transmissible diseases, with the emphasis on healthy ageing across the life cycle; 2) cross-border threats to health; and 3) innovation and best practice. As part of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between generations, and in view of the current economic crisis, the Presidency underlines the need to review the structure of healthcare services and redirect investment to reduce costs. With regard to cross border health threats, Cyprus intends to continue discussions on the European Commission proposal aiming to protect citizens from serious cross-border threats by more coordinated measures at EU level.
Other issues will also be addressed over the next six months, including: 1) the third multiannual action programme in the health sector (2014-2020): the Presidency hopes to achieve agreement on the Commission proposal; 2) organ donation and transplantation: the Presidency plans to adopt conclusions on this issue, given the shortage of organs available for transplantation in Europe; 3) pharmacovigilance; 4) clinical trials: a proposal for revised legislation will be dealt with by the Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices during the Cypriot Presidency; 5) transparency in the pricing of medicines: Cyprus will continue discussions initiated by the Danish Presidency on the new directive proposed by the Commission, the aim of which is to simplify procedures; 6) medical devices: as part of the review of the directive on devices and following the PIP breast implant scandal which highlighted the lack of coordination among member states and the varying responses adopted, the Cypriot Presidency will initiate discussions on fresh proposals issued to better regulate medical devices.
Concluding his presentation, Malas drew attention to the unprecedented challenge confronting Europe today: the ageing of its population, which means that more will be needed in terms of healthcare, and the particularly serious economic crisis, which is forcing member states to rethink their economic and financial model. The crisis and demographic problems are putting states under pressure, and, with financial resources short, creativity has to be shown, he said. Europe, he added, is at a crossroads. He hoped that the Cypriot Presidency would be able to move forward on the important issues. Six months, he said, is hardly time to bring about miracles, but he expressed confidence that Cyprus would be able to make a difference. MEPs welcomed the ambitious programme set out by Malas and asked a number of questions, particularly on organ donation (and more specifically, tackling organ trafficking), clinical trials and medical devices. (IL/transl.rt)