The European Parliament is to set up a special committee on cancer, announced MEP and EPP health spokesman Peter Liese (Germany) on Monday 20 January
This decision, initiated by the European right, makes the fight against cancer “a top priority for the whole European Union”, Mr Liese said. The formal adoption of the committee by MEPs as well as its formal establishment should take place “within the next few weeks”, says a statement.
In particular, this special committee will have to contribute to the implementation of the European plan to combat cancer, which is to be presented by the European Commission by the end of the year. It will “pool the expertise from all relevant committees of the European Parliament (e.g. Environment and Health, Research, Employment and Social Affairs, Internal Market)” as well as “consult experts and, above all, patients”, said Peter Liese.
“We need to demonstrate the European added value in prevention, diagnosis, follow-up treatment and social rights and help patients in concrete terms”, he added, pointing out that certain policy areas, such as the organisation of the health system or funded therapies, fall within the competence of the Member States. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki, intern)