How will the European Commission ensure the implementation of its ambitious Cancer Plan (see EUROPE 12650/1)? The head of the institution’s public health unit, John Ryan, tried on Monday 27 September to give some answers on the subject to MEPs on the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA).
In particular, Mr Ryan emphasised the creation of a somewhat “unusual” mechanism: three groups will be responsible for monitoring the implementation process of the Plan.
One of these groups will be composed of representatives of the Member States. Another will bring together stakeholders: carers, pharmaceutical experts, patient organisations, etc.
“We hope to send an invitation already this week for our stakeholders to join the group”, said the Commission representative.
Finally, the third group will be composed of representatives from all Commission units with a say in the matter.
Indeed, within the framework of this plan, the European institution, in accordance with the ‘One Health’ approach, has “in particular tried to mobilise fiscal policy with regard to alcohol-related issues, the Euratom Treaty in relation to nuclear medicine, but also the pharmaceutical strategy and the Union's digital policy”, Mr Ryan detailed.
He further indicated that the Commission is currently finalising an implementation plan which will detail the different actions foreseen under the Cancer Plan, their timetable, and the actors who will be responsible for them.
On Parliament’s side, the subject will be back on the agenda of the BECA committee on 14 October.
MEPs will then have a first exchange of views on amendments to the draft report by Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew Europe, France) on the Cancer Plan (see EUROPE 12764/9). The rapporteurs’ discussions on the subject will begin the next day. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)