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
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.
The revamped mechanism would help countries respond to serious cross-border health threats by stockpiling medical countermeasures, including personal protective equipment and active pharmaceutical ingredients, and strengthening early-warning and surveillance systems.
Catherine Feore
Voiculescu says amendments to cancer report used tobacco industry wording ‘word for word’
MEP Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew, Romania) has accused the tobacco industry of exerting intense pressure on European lawmakers negotiating Parliament’s assessment of the EU’s cancer strategy, saying some proposed amendments to his report on implementation of the Beating Cancer Plan used industry wording “word for word.”
The remarks came as Voiculescu presented a five-year assessment of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, calling for stronger prevention, earlier detection, fairer treatment access and greater accountability.
Catherine Feore
EU tobacco overhaul ‘very well advanced’ as Brussels targets vapes and heated tobacco
The European Commission is “very well advanced” in preparing an overhaul of EU tobacco rules that will address newer products including vapes and heated tobacco, Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said Thursday, as health ministers discussed rising nicotine use among young people.
“We are very well advanced in the preparation of the proposals,” Várhelyi told a press conference alongside Irish Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
Beyond tobacco, Várhelyi urged governments to move quickly on two other major health files - the European Biotech Act and reform of EU medical device rules - which Ireland is seeking to advance during its Council presidency.
Catherine Feore
EMA sets out process to appoint next Executive Director
EMA’s September Management Board set out the procedure for choosing its next Executive Director and reviewed preparations for major changes to EU pharmaceutical legislation and the Biotech Act.
The board was also updated on the number of applications received for new human medicines between January and June; the Agency reported 29, maintaining 2025's high level.
While there were some concerns that Donald Trump's “most-favored nation” policy would deter applications for market authorisations, there doesn’t appear to be an impact on authorisations, as yet. Requests for scientific advice for medicines have also increased, indicating sustained developer interest.
Catherine Feore
EU sets out cardiovascular screening framework as Várhelyi urges shift towards prevention
All Europeans should receive regular cardiovascular health checks throughout their lives under new European Commission recommendations aimed at detecting risks earlier and reducing deaths from the EU’s biggest killer.
Launching the first EU Screening Week on Monday, Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said Europe needed to move away from a healthcare model focused predominantly on treating people after they become ill and make prevention and early detection a routine part of healthcare.
Catherine Feore
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.
Paramedics, emergency medical teams and other first responders could gain access to a common European communication system designed to keep them connected across borders and during major disasters, under a new European Commission proposal.
Catherine Feore