What are the main challenges that the European Health Union must address to strengthen healthcare and public health systems in the EU and improve the region’s preparedness for future health problems?
While the pandemic underscored the importance of health for the functioning of our societies and economies, its importance remains true in post-pandemic times with the interconnected challenges the EU is currently facing.
A healthy population impacts Europe’s growth model, especially in times of changing demographics. Pharmaceutical and industrial policy are intrinsically interlinked, as access to health and innovation can only be maintained by providing the right infrastructure for developing R&D and if manufacturing conditions are met in Europe.
Whether Europe will remain an attractive place to invest compared to other parts of the world depends on its ability to create an innovation ecosystem that is inherently linked to the twin green and digital transition. The US Inflation Reduction Act clearly shows that health, security and environmental policies are interconnected, and the pressure is on for the EU to achieve the same with its European Health Union.
Which are the most important recommendations of the European Policy Centre’s Multistakeholder Task Force to prepare the European Health Union for the challenges of the 21st century?
- Adopting a more holistic approach by appointing a Vice President for Well-being.
- Strengthening crisis preparedness by elevating HERA to an agency.
- Promoting access and affordability by extending joint procurement.
- Strengthening the European health workforce by tackling shortages and addressing skills gaps.
- Mitigating the cost of inaction by increasing investment in health.
- Ensuring planetary health by promoting a Green European Health Union.
- Promoting Europe’s status as a global leader in health data by harmonising health data regulations with the European Health Data Space.
- Safeguarding the EU’s strategic autonomy by implementing the Versailles Declaration and strengthening supply chain resilience.
- Building on the EU’s Global Health Strategy by exploring global partnerships.
Which of the recommendations listed in the report will be the most difficult to implement in the Member States?
One of the challenges at EU level is the heterogeneity of health systems, which also extends to the level of funding member states allocate to their health budget, which varies greatly across the EU. One of the challenges in the context of the ongoing revision of the EU’s Pharmaceutical Strategy is that, while creating an ecosystem for innovation is in the EU’s remit, access to innovation is a national competence.
To guarantee the success of the Strategy and ensure access to medicines and novel therapies, some member states governments will be required to increase their health budget and rethink their spending and budget allocation for health. Given the varying level of access between member states and the political trade-offs between different policy areas the current geopolitical situation requires, this may be a sticking point during negotiations at the Council level.
What is the EHU’s strategy to maintain the political focus on health at European and national levels, in a post-covid time?
While the impact of the pandemic placed health high on the EU’s political agenda and resulted in the previously outlined initiatives, questions remain as to the definition of a health union and the future of health policy in the EU. However, while differences between EU countries may present challenges in implementation, they also offer opportunities to share best practices and knowledge exchange that can and should be further emphasised.
Political will is essential and will remain essential as we attempt to define the future role of the EU in health. As we move away from the pandemic, we must ensure that the momentum and political and economic significance of healthy societies remains high and that safeguarding human health and well-being is linked to protecting the planet.
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