The European Lung Health Group, a coalition of nine groups representing patients and healthcare professionals in the area of lung health, supports the European Commission’s recent health initiatives under the EU ‘Health Package’ . The package reflects stakeholder input, including from patients, and could improve access to care and innovation for respiratory patients. ELHG stresses that patients must be involved in the implementation of these rules and that respiratory needs must be prioritised.
The health package includes three components:
EU Biotech Act
A proposed regulation intended to support the development of new treatments and improve the EU’s position as a global competitor in the pharmaceutical sector.* For respiratory patients, innovation is important, but it needs to translate into real access to clinical trials, timely availability across countries and no shortcuts on safety.
Safe Hearts Plan
A targeted Plan of measures to improve prevention, detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This is important for lung health because heart and lung risks overlap and many patients live with more than one condition. Measures that strengthen prevention can benefit both sides.
Targeted simplification of the Medical Devices Regulations
The Commission proposal for the revision of the rules governing the development, production, and distribution of medical devices and in vitro diagnostics within the EU. This includes devices used in respiratory and allergy care such as inhalers, ventilators, nebulisers and auto-injectors. Faster access can help patients, but not if it comes at the expense of safety and quality standards.
Key #KeepBreathing policy priorities:
Access to care
- Better access to clinical trials and to treatments with timely availability across countries
- Timely access to treatment and follow-up care
inclusion of respiratory diagnostic in primary care. - Ensure safety of medicines and medical devices when rules are being accelerated and simplified
Prevention of respiratory diseases
- Stronger action against tobacco and smoking, with the goal of less than 5% of adults using tobacco by 2040.
- Promotion of vaccination as a preventive measure for cardiovascular disease, including immunisation of high-risk and vulnerable groups against influenza, COVID-19, respiratory diseases and other infections.
- Need for additional action on indoor and outdoor air pollution
Investment in health
- Dedicate specific funding to EU health policy plans
- Invest in research for respiratory medicine development
- Invest in AI technologies for better detection and diagnosis of respiratory diseases
Putting the pieces together for lung health
We are pleased to see increased attention to health issues at EU level. The Safe Hearts Plan is particularly encouraging for respiratory patients as it can act as an example for what should be included in a future European Lung Health Plan. Until now, lung health policy initiatives have been fragmented. ELHG calls for the EU to put the pieces together for a future European Lung Health Plan which provides patients with timely access to care and treatment. It’s time to support Europeans to #KeepBreathing!
* The Commission has launched the public consultation on its proposal for a EU Biotech Act. We encourage patient representatives to respond to this, in order to shape the Act.