Issue 25, 6 November 2008

In this edition Welcome News from the EU Reporting from across Europe EU Press Releases Forthcoming Events New Publications What's New on Health-EU Focus
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Welcome

Antibiotic bacterial resistance: a European priority

By Prof. B. SCHLEMMER, Head of the national committee monitoring France's plan for keeping antibiotics effective

Increasing rates of antibiotic bacterial resistance render these vitally important drugs less effective and could negatively impact human health in the future. Specific measures are needed for healthcare facilities, and a more sensible use of antibiotics is needed among healthcare practitioners and the general public. Policies have been set up to make professionals and the general public more aware of how to use antibiotics, create surveillance systems for bacterial resistance and antibiotic consumption, promote good antibiotic practice and favour medical and pharmaceutical research. Continued efforts in these areas remain necessary.

Ten years after the Copenhagen conference, the European Commission's "Microbial Threat" policy continues, with the support of European and national health authorities and numerous experts. Four EU member countries have made microbial resistance and antibiotic use a central theme of their presidencies' health programmes. What's more, 2008 will see the first European Antibiotic Awareness Day, which will aim to make all actors aware of the problems posed by resistance to and improper use of antibiotics. This is a worldwide issue. Early results have been positive, but new cases of resistance continue to appear and spread. Like water, antibiotics are vital for good health. We must all continue our efforts to ensure that antibiotics remain effective for future generations.

News from the EU

Chocolate is good for you? Bring it on!

One of the world's greatest sweets may soon start flying off supermarket shelves following news that dark chocolate may help keep hearts healthy.

Chocolate is good for you? Bring it on!

One of the world's greatest sweets may soon start flying off supermarket shelves following news that dark chocolate may help keep hearts healthy.

Towards a fuller life and more independence for disabled persons

One in 10 Europeans has a disability, serious or less serious, and the community at large is starting to realise that it needs to adjust to their needs, not vice-versa.

Towards a fuller life and more independence for disabled persons

One in 10 Europeans has a disability, serious or less serious, and the community at large is starting to realise that it needs to adjust to their needs, not vice-versa.

Deal on the marketing authorisations for medicinal products

Parliament adopted a report on a first-reading agreement concerning a Commission proposal to harmonise the regulatory system used to change marketing authorisations for medicinal products.

Deal on the marketing authorisations for medicinal products

Parliament adopted a report on a first-reading agreement concerning a Commission proposal to harmonise the regulatory system used to change marketing authorisations for medicinal products.

European researchers offer new formula to tackle pancreatic cancer

A new development in the fight against pancreatic cancer will give hope to sufferers of this silent, yet deadly, disease. Scientists have developed a new form of chemotherapy that destroys new blood vessels that grow around tumours.

European researchers offer new formula to tackle pancreatic cancer

Public Health in time of Economic Difficulty

Statement by Robert Madelin, speaking as Chair of the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity

Public Health in time of Economic Difficulty

Statement by Robert Madelin, speaking as Chair of the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity

Reporting from across Europe

United Kingdom

Older people's quality of life improved through national scheme

Partnerships for Older People Projects (POPPs) was launched with the aim of helping older people to remain independent and prevent or delay the need for more intense care.

Sweden

Sweden's strategy report for social protection and social inclusion 2008-2010

EU Press Releases

Future challenges for EU health policies, speech by Androulla Vassiliou at Conference ''Delivering for Tomorrow's European Consumers"

Forthcoming Events

Global Risk Assessment Dialogue (13-14 November 2008)

The Conference, organised by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission, is intended to facilitate a global dialogue on risk assessment, among risk assessment practitioners, with the involvement of bodies dealing with risk analysis in the EU and its main partners internationally.

International Symposium on Rare Diseases: Inherited Neuromuscular Diseases: Translation from Pathomechanisms to Therapies (16-18 November 2008)

The symposium will permit exploration of the state-of–the-art of neuromuscular diseases as a whole.

European Antibiotic Awareness Day (18 November 2008)

European Antibiotic Awareness Day is a European health initiative in close collaboration with the World Health Organization, as well as many other relevant representative stakeholder groups such as health professionals and scientists.

Closing Conference of the European Collaboration on Dementia (EUCODE) Project at the European Parliament (9 December 2008)

The aim of the project is to develop a European network of all the players active in the area of dementia to jointly develop consensual indicators and to develop an ongoing dialogue between these actors to identify ways of developing synergies and a closer collaboration on a European level.

New Publications

European Research – For a healthier future - Brochure 2008

This brochure presents the main areas where the European Union is funding research to improve human health.

European Research – For a healthier future - Brochure 2008

This brochure presents the main areas where the European Union is funding research to improve human health.

Science at the service of Europe

A guide to the 2007 annual activity report of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research

Science at the service of Europe

A guide to the 2007 annual activity report of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research

What's New on Health-EU

Cross-border Healthcare - Executive summary of impact assessment available in 22 Languages

The aim of the impact assessment is to consider the need for and the potential impact of different options for Community action in the field of cross-border healthcare. After exclusion of healthcare services from the services directive, the Commission accommodates with this initiative the wish of both the European Parliament and Council to investigate the need to come up with a specific proposal in the field of cross-border healthcare.

Cross-border Healthcare - Executive summary of impact assessment available in 22 Languages