Today’s EPSCO meeting covered  a number of health files. EFPIA particularly welcomes the adoption of council conclusions on cardiovascular health. With an increase in chronic disease associated with an aging population – and the pressure this brings to health systems - robust prevention, treatment and management policies are required to tackle a disease which kills more people in Europe than any other. Promoting a comprehensive approach to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, treatment and rehabilitation is key to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease, as chronic diseases more broadly.  

Nathalie Moll, EFPIA Director General, said: 

“As partner of the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health, EFPIA has been supportive of establishing an EU Cardiovascular Health Action Plan.  

The Council Conclusion calls for a comprehensive action on cardiovascular health during the new mandate. This is a strong signal that tackling CVD is a priority.  

We are ready to work with all partners to ensure that EU as well as Member State action on cardiovascular health is impactful and bring real change for people and patients across Europe, including through a focus on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, looking at key genetic and modifiable risk-factors and co-morbidities including diabetes and obesity.  

We will continue to work with all partners towards an improved research and innovation environment in Europe, which is important to strengthen the R&D pipeline for innovative therapies for all diseases including cardiovascular disease and the overall clinical trials ecosystem.” 

Following discussion of the EU-27 Health Ministers on the future of the European Health Union and recommendations included in the Draghi report, EFPIA is encouraged to hear President von der Leyen’s announcement of a competitiveness compass as the “first major initiative” of the new European Commission to close the innovation gap with other regions of the world.  

As the Council discusses the revision of the Pharma Legislation, it is crucial that the President’s ambition to close the innovation gap is matched with coherent and complimentary policy decisions that will strengthen, not weaken Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem that includes small and large pharmaceutical companies in all Member States.