The Covid-19 pandemic and the creation of a European Health Data Space were the main topics of the informal meeting of EU health ministers on Thursday 16 July. This was the first teleconference under the German Presidency of the EU Council, participated in by the other members of the three-Presidency team (the current and the next two), namely the Portuguese and Slovenian Ministers of Health.
On this occasion, Commissioner Stella Kyriakides formally indicated that she is considering a revision of Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border health threats. "This would make it possible to develop a European system for preparing for health crises", she acknowledged at a press conference.
Strengthening the ECDC
For his part, the German minister took stock of the Covid-19 pandemic, which he said prompted a strengthening of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and less dependence on third countries for the supply of medicines and medical devices.
"We have reached a unanimous position on the ECDC: we need to ensure that it receives more funding, to receive specialised expertise, and to invest more in research", said Slovenian Minister of Health Tomaž Gantar. Asked by the press about the amount of this funding, German Minister Jens Spahn refused to commit further. However, he also mentioned the creation of a working group within the ECDC in the event of a regional epidemic.
For her part, Commissioner Kyriakides also stressed the need to strengthen the European Medicines Agency in order to be able to anticipate shortages through a permanent monitoring mechanism and a greater role in the development, authorisation and control of the safety of medicines and vaccines.
Creation of a European Health Data Space
The European Commission intends to establish a European Health Data Space to promote the exchange of health data and support research on new prevention strategies as well as treatments, medicines, medical devices and outcomes (see EUROPE 12386/15). At a press conference, the trio of EU Council Presidencies broadly supported this initiative.
Finally, the Portuguese Health Minister, for her part, touched on the priorities that Portugal will champion in the health field when it succeeds Germany at the head of the EU Council. These will include global health and its governance, health and climate change, universal, equitable and sustainable access to medicines and digital health, Marta Temido summarised. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)