Pneumonic plague

Updated: EU monitoring reports of possible pneumonic plague incident in Siberia

The European Commission says it is closely monitoring reports of a possible pneumonic plague case in Siberia

Climate

More than 100 European mayors back climate and health pledge

More than 100 mayors, deputy mayors and elected representatives from 60 cities across 22 European countries have signed the Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health, pledging local action on nature, food, active travel, housing and preparedness for extreme weather. “This declaration is a clear show of political leadership

Inside EU Health

Inside EU Health: €5 billion for health emergencies; beating cancer; EMA; screening; first responders

MEPs push for €5 billion for health emergencies; beating cancer; health informal; EMA sets out process to appoint next Executive Director; cardiovascular screening framework; cross-border communication system to strengthen emergency health response

Preparedness

MEPs push for €5 billion for health emergencies

MEPs want the updated civil protection mechanism to put greater emphasis on health preparedness, with more funding for medical stockpiles, cross-border teams and hospital surge capacity

EMA

EMA sets out process to appoint next Executive Director

EMA’s September Management Board meeting advanced the process for appointing its next Executive Director while reviewing preparations for new EU pharmaceutical legislation

Preparedness

EU plans cross-border communication system to strengthen emergency health response

The EU has proposed a new secure cross-border communication system to help emergency medical teams and other first responders coordinate and share critical information during crises

Tobacco Products Directive

EU tobacco overhaul ‘very well advanced’ as Brussels targets vapes and heated tobacco

Health ministers met for an informal Council meeting in Dublin, with tobacco reform, the Biotech Act and medical devices topping the agenda

Cancer

Voiculescu says amendments to cancer report used tobacco industry wording ‘word for word’

The report on the implementation of the EU’s Beating Cancer Action Plan, calls for improving detection, treatment and better tracking of progress

Cardiovascular disease

EU sets out cardiovascular screening framework as Várhelyi urges shift towards prevention

Várhelyi says every €1 spent on prevention could save at least €7 in healthcare costs

Inside EU Health

Inside EU Health: European pharma chiefs call for action; EU  cloud and AI rules; data protection; US ups pressure on Germany; sport

Nine pharma chiefs urge action; EU Cloud and AI Rules must not create barriers for European pharma; call for patient data safeguards in Digital Omnibus; US ups pressure on Germany; more Europeans turn to exercise for physical and mental health

EU/US Trade

Germany drug pricing faces US scrutiny as Metsola calls for a deal

US pressure on Germany to pay more for innovative medicines is intensifying

Competitiveness

EU Cloud and AI Rules must not create barriers for European pharma, EFPIA warns

EFPIA cautiously welcomed the EU’s Cloud and AI Development Act but warns that sovereignty rules could prove counterproductive

European Health Data Space

European health and consumer groups call for patient data safeguards in Digital Omnibus

European health and consumer organisations urge EU lawmakers to protect sensitive patient data while supporting responsible digital innovation.

Competitiveness

Nine pharma chiefs urge action as Europe loses ground to US and China

Nine leading European pharma chiefs issue a stark warning to governments as drug development increasingly shifts towards the US and China

Physical activity

More Europeans turn to exercise for physical and mental health

Europeans are exercising more frequently than in 2022, with physical and mental health among the main motivations for becoming more active

Inside EU Health

Inside EU Health: Biosimilars; EMA; cardiovascular; healthcare workforce; equal pay; nicotine pouches; EU KIDS Act

Biosimilar uptake; EMA recommendations; parliament’s cardiovascular report; ‘Fair Labour Mobility’ package; gender pay gap; Germany debates nicotine pouches: EU Kids Act targets social media’s impact on children’s mental health

nicotine pouches

European health groups warn against weakening German rules on nicotine pouches

European health organisations are urging Germany to maintain its ban on nicotine pouches, arguing it could undermine efforts to develop coherent EU-wide nicotine regulations

Healthcare workforce

Women health workers face 28% monthly pay gap across Europe

A WHO/Europe analysis of the gender pay gap could explain why healthcare careers are becoming less attractive

Biosimilars

Biosimilar uptake could unlock major savings for European healthcare systems

Greater uptake of biosimilar medicines could deliver substantial savings for European health systems, but will require coordinated policies on procurement, prescribing and dispensing.

EMA

EMA backs 12 new medicines, alongside key label expansions

The EMA’s CHMP recommended 12 new medicines for approval and 11 indication extensions at its September 2026 meeting

Cardiovascular disease

Parliament rallies behind Jerković’s plan to prevent cardiovascular disease

MEPs overwhelmingly backed Romana Jerković’s cardiovascular health report, as Commissioner Várhelyi reaffirmed plans for tougher EU action on tobacco and emerging nicotine products

Healthcare workforce

European Parliament backs EU health workforce crisis plan

The European Parliament has backed calls for an EU-wide strategy to tackle worsening shortages of healthcare professionals, including an ambition to increase the health workforce by one million, as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists urged the European Commission to turn the recommendations into concrete action. The own-initiative report,

Online safety

EU Kids Act targets social media’s impact on children’s mental health

The European Commission unveiled its EU Kids Act on Thursday (17 September), proposing sweeping restrictions on children’s access to social media and new obligations on technology companies to address growing concerns over young people’s mental health and online safety. The proposal would prevent children under 13 from accessing

Healthcare workforce

‘Fair Labour Mobility’ package could help EU's healthcare workforce

The EU’s Fair Labour Mobility Package aims to speed up recognition of qualifications, including for non-EU professionals

Inside EU Health

Inside EU Health: Spanish proposal on access; biosimilars; illicit tobacco trade; anaphylaxis; preparedness; radioisotopes; insulin

Spain pushes EU to use its purchasing power on innovative medicines; better deal for biosimilars; auditors on illicit tobacco trade; anaphylaxis preparedness; crisis procurement handbook; EU backs next-generation mRNA nasal sprays; strategy on radioisotopes; EU approves €400m aid for insulin supply