Inside EU Health: Commission Work Programme 2026; Novo Nordisk shake up; Health Not Hype
The Commission unveils its Work Programme 2026; Novo Nordisk shakes up its board and EMA launches first social media campaign
Commission Work Programme 2026: The Commission describes the work programme for next year as ‘Europe’s Independence Moment’; tough talk for a continent that has felt bullied and talked over, especially since Trump returned to office. There are general proposals that will affect the health sector, such as the so-called ‘28th Regime’, aimed at making it easier to establish Europe-wide start-ups and a ‘made in Europe’ criterion for the procurement of sensitive items, which could include medicines.
Work to combat poverty, mitigate climate change and recommendations on addiction and dependence on social media, among others, will also have a direct or indirect impact on health.
On health, a number of initiatives are tabled: the Biotech Act (Q3 2026); Global Health Resilience Initiative (non-legislative, Q2 2026); evaluation of the tobacco control legislative framework (Q2 2026); evaluation of the European Food Safety Authority (Q2 2026).
Novo’s boardroom coup: Novo Nordisk will hold an extraordinary general meeting on 14 November to elect new board members after its controlling shareholder, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, called for changes to reflect a need for “fresh eyes” and faster recognition of market shifts, particularly in the United States.
The overhaul follows a turbulent year marked by the ousting of CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen in May and a global restructuring in September. Meanwhile, US pressure on the Ozempic maker continues to mount.
Catherine Feore
#HealthNotHype: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has launched its first social media campaign to promote safe use of GLP-1 medicines. The agency is partnering with content creators to promote the safe and responsible use of GLP-1 receptor agonists - medicines developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity which are also used more widely for weight management.
“HealthNotHype is about passing the message that GLP-1 receptor agonists are not magic solutions for weight loss,” said EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke. “Like all medicines, they have benefits and risks and are not for everyone. They must be used under medical supervision and supported by lifestyle changes.” Read more here.
Updated 22/10/2025