Croatia intends to make its mark on health policy during its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is what the Croatian Health Minister, Milan Kujundžić, suggested during a first meeting with MEPs of the ‘Environment and Public Health’ Committee on Monday 20 January.
During the first half of 2020, the Croatian authorities are expected to continue work on the legislative projects already underway, namely assessment of health technologies and the implementation of the new rules on medical devices. But they also intend, as stated in their political priorities, to focus on organ donation and an ageing population (see EUROPE 12397/15).
Asked by MEPs to be more concrete, the Croatian minister said that, on the issue of ageing, the Presidency could address recommendations or clear messages to Member States to avoid degenerative diseases, in particular by raising awareness on food issues.
Access to medicines
MEPs took the opportunity to question the new rotating Presidency on its approach to other health issues. On access to medicines, for example, a subject that has been discussed by Member States for many years, the minister replied: “The future lies in immunotherapy and gene therapy. (...) If each one acts alone, they will pay the full price. We need to renegotiate together. Only together can we resist”, he said.
And to complete, by answering another question: “Research is now a monopoly held by the pharmaceutical industry. That is why more funds should be allocated to research”.
Milan Kujundžić also stated that each Member State should have a specialised centre, including a toxicology centre, to detect problems in products on the market. He also referred to the need to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance.
Nutri-score, vegetarianism and euthanasia
In responding to some of the MEPs more controversial questions, the minister revealed some of his personal views, such as his opposition to euthanasia. “I am against it because I believe that no one can decide on the lives of others”, he said, acknowledging that some Member States had chosen to allow the practice on their territory, a situation that would, in theory, reduce abuse.
In response to a question from Silvia Modig (GUE-NGL, Finland), Mr Kujundžić was open to vegetarianism. “I am a proponent of healthy eating”, he said, noting that it “can be encouraged” but does not automatically equate to healthy eating.
Finally, he evaded the question of the 'Nutri-score' (see EUROPE 12405/18), limiting himself to supporting the affixing on food packaging of their calorie content. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)