EU commissioner vows to increase patient information

Speaking at the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPIA) Public Conference in Dublin, Byrne said: “European citizens are taking an increasing interest in their health and well-being. People expect to be well-informed about health issues that concern them and their families — this is even more pertinent when people fall ill."

The new task force would “look at the quality of existing information to patients and how high quality information can be accessed through the Internet, as well as focusing on information to users on treatment options."

“Information on pharmaceuticals is one particular area where patients are demanding more objective information directly relevant to their needs… National health portals and information sites are the main sources of information, but there is a clear need for information coming from reliable sources."

“The rise of patient power is … a key challenge in the health policy environment. The transformation of the patient from a passive recipient of treatment, to an increasingly active mobile seeker of quality services is a driver of change in European health. The patient has moved to the centre of policymaking."

The European Commissioner also reported that he had set up a “High Level Group on health services and medical care” to “work towards the development of practical proposals on how European co-operation can develop in the interests of patients. It will be a major force for change."

This was in response to recommendations from a recent forum of EU Health Ministers and representatives of patients, healthcare and purchasers, which found that “there was great potential for collaboration at European level to make a tangible contribution to the health objectives of the Member States."

The several issues that the High Level Group will be looking at include applying data protection rules to the health sector and e-health, using information and communication technology in the service of health, enabling European co-operation to enable better use of resources, and greater collaboration on assessing new health technologies.

Commissioner Byrne’s speech comes shortly after his address to the EU e-health conference in Cork at the beginning of May, as covered by E-Health Insider, in which he spoke about development of a European Public Health portal, designed to provide authoritative public health data to healthcare professionals and service planners.

Byrne is a passionate advocate of e-health, and believes that greater connectivity and exchange of information is vital for the advance of healthcare across the EU: “We are convinced that e-health must move from a jumble of projects to playing a central role in the modernisation of healthcare… We need to move to practical realities on the ground."

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