On Tuesday 2 December, the European Health Ministers will attempt to reach a common position on the Critical Medicines Act.
Ministers will be asked to approve the EU Council’s position (https://aeur.eu/f/jr0 ) (‘general approach’) on the Critical Medicines Act, a draft regulation aimed at improving the security of supply and availability of critical medicinal products in the EU (see EUROPE 13760/17). The proposal in this area complements the proposals to revise EU pharmaceutical legislation.
The compromise text on the table removes joint procurement from Article 22 (procurement by the Commission for or on behalf of Member States) and clarifies the Commission’s responsibilities with regard to collaborative procurement.
In addition, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU will present the state of negotiations with the European Parliament on the pharmaceutical package, with the final trilogue scheduled for 10 December (see EUROPE 13750/19).
Tobacco. Over lunch, the ministers will take part in an informal debate on ‘Novel tobacco and nicotine products: impact on children and young people’.
The Danish Presidency of the Council and the European Commission will discuss the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11), which was held in Geneva from 17 to 22 November. A note (https://aeur.eu/f/jqo ) is planned on this subject (see EUROPE 13752/7).
Any other business. The Commission will present the 2025 annual report on progress towards simplification and will provide an update on the agreement on pandemics and on the EU health crisis prevention, preparedness and response plan (https://aeur.eu/f/jqp ).
Several Member States (the Czech Republic, supported by Austria, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain) will address the future EU cardiovascular health plan (https://aeur.eu/f/jqq ).
The Czech Republic will talk about a cost study on the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD).
The EU strategy on climate and health will also be included in the debate at the initiative of the Netherlands (https://aeur.eu/f/jqs ).
Slovenia and Spain will present a note (https://aeur.eu/f/jqu ) on the European Health Union as an essential pillar for strengthening the Union’s competitiveness and security.
Finally, Cyprus will present the work programme for the future Presidency. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)