Brussels, 2 October 2014 – We are writing to support Member States who have already expressed their concerns [[A proposal on the move tabled by the Belgian Health Minister during an informal Health Council meeting on 23 September was supported by colleagues from France, Cyprus, Austria, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania.]] on the decision of European Commission President Elect Jean-Claude Juncker to move the competence for medicinal products and health technologies from the Commissioner in charge of Health to the Commissioner in charge of Internal Market and Industry within the new Commission. We would like to ask for your full support to have that decision reversed.
Dear Head of States, Dear Prime Ministers,
In September, a coalition of health organisations wrote to President Elect Juncker highlighting that in 2009, responsibility for medicines and medical devices were moved into the hands of the Health Commissioner to harmonise pharmaceutical governance within Member States and facilitate emergency preparedness. Returning them to the Commissioner for Internal Market and Industry is unjustified and represents a major step back.
In his answer, the President Elect highlighted that “As President of the Commission, I will make sure that public health will be at least as important in our policies as internal market considerations” but it is our belief that this is not reflected in the structure of the Commission. The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has also demanded satisfactory answers to concerns over the reorganisation of the structure of the Commission, including the need for a coherent approach in public health policy. Despite this, the President Elect is showing, so far, no intention to reverse his potentially catastrophic decision.
The shift of EU pharmaceutical policy will put Europe’s security at risk and is in contradiction with how pharmaceutical policy is governed in all 28 EU Member States. With the responsibility for pharmaceutical and medical devices policies removed out of Commissioner designate for Health Dr Vytenis Andriukaitis’ portfolio, the latter runs the risk of not being able to fulfil his mandate to ensure pandemic preparedness, to coordinate health policies and their outcomes, all through the spectrum of care services and goods. This could affect the well-being of more than 500 million people living in Europe.
We hope we can count on your support and strong political leadership for this vitally important public health issue.
Yours Sincerely,
– Signatories, in alphabetic order
– Follow the latest developments on #Pharma4health
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Related EPHA articles
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Other media commenting on this issue:
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- Juncker’s health plans drive a wedge between partners – European Voice.
- Intergroup boycotted over change in Health portfolio – New Europe – Brussels-based media outlet.
- Juncker should reverse decision on medicines shake up – by MEP Glenis Willmott (S&D, UK)
- A Bad Start for the New Commission – by Jim Murray (OpenMedicine.EU)
- New European Commission announced: First BEUC comments – The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)
- Public health in danger with move of pharmaceutical policy to DG Enterprise and Industry – Health Action International (HAI)