News
Implementing EHDS: medical societies advise on how to bring health data sharing to the next level
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In a new BioMed Alliance statement, medical societies provide key recommendations on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) implementation. The statement follows the European Parliaments adoption of the political agreement with the Council on 24 April and highlights what is necessary to make EHDS provide a concrete added benefit to patients, doctors and researchers across Europe.
In the statement, the 34 members of the Alliance welcome the agreement, while providing input on remaining key issues that need to be addressed in the implementation and operation phases. These include the need for further stakeholder engagement, the importance of ensuring a harmonized opt-out mechanism, further clarification for definitions and legality, and increased support for healthcare professionals and researchers. We invite you to read the full statement here.
Charting the path forward: New joint stakeholder statement on the implementation of the EHDS
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BioMed Alliance contributed to a new statement on the implementation of the European Health Data Space signed by 36 organisations representing healthcare professionals, patients, industry and other health-related stakeholders. In the statement, the EU health community welcomes the agreement on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) proposal, but also provides key recommendations to ensure the EHDS will be implemented in a way that provides most added value for patients and European health systems. Read the statement here.
Update March 2024
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Our March Update is out now and provides you with insights on EU policy developments and BioMed Alliance activities. In this edition you will find more information about the passing of our former BoD member Tobias Welte, progress with the AI Act, EHDS and revision of the pharmaceutical legislation, the final conference of CORE-MD, the agenda of our Spring Meeting, a HERA survey on training needs, the launch of the Critical Medicines Alliance and member news.
BioMed Alliance replies to consultation on HTA Implementing Regulation
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BioMed Alliance replied to the public consultation on the HTA Implementing Regulation on joint clinical assessments of medicinal products. In the reply, BioMed Alliance argues that the involvement of stakeholders including clinicians is key to achieve a high scientific quality of joint clinical assessment reports. In order to facilitate the process and ensure the right experts are able to provide a meaningful contribution, it is necessary to ensure a systematic and consistent involvement of stakeholders, facilitate cooperation with medical societies as key partners, give sufficient time for stakeholders to provide their input, and set up appropriate conflict of interest policies. The reply is available here and on the ‘have your say’ website.
BioMed Alliance mourns the passing of Tobias Welte
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BioMed Alliance is deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Tobias Welte on 10 March, at the age of 64. Tobias Welte was a valued member of our Board of Directors and was Treasurer until 2023. He was a high-level expert in the field of respiratory medicine, and made numerous contributions during the COVID-Pandemic and to his field in general. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult period.
Update February 2024
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Our February Update is out now and provides you with insights on EU policy developments and BioMed Alliance activities. This edition shares information about our new statement on the EHDS, our engagement with the MDCG, the save the date for our Spring Meeting, an interview with our President, the CORE-MD final conference, cuts in the funding for EU4Health & Horizon Europe, new EMA catalogues on real world data and members news.
New multistakeholder statement on EHDS
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The BioMed Alliance has contributed to a joint statement issued by a large multistakeholder group, representing the entire spectrum of the healthcare ecosystem and consisting of 35 European patient organisations, medical associations, health research infrastructures and health industry associations on the EHDS. The statement raises our ongoing common concerns about legislative shortcomings and uncertainties in the proposed Regulation for a European Health Data Space (EHDS) currently being negotiated in trilogues. For more information, please read the statement here.
Healthcare professionals and researchers share recommendations for trilogue discussions on EHDS
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The BioMed Alliance has published a new statement in light of the trilogue discussions on the proposal for a European Health Data Space. Medical societies, and the healthcare professionals and researchers that they represent, welcome the intention of the proposal to facilitate health data sharing for healthcare and research, if the necessary elements are in place. However, some of the provisions that are currently being discussed could lead to fragmentation, legal uncertainty and data bias in the datasets that will be available for research within EHDS.
Read our recommendations here.
Concerns about cuts in EU4Health and Horizon Europe budgets
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In early February, BioMed Alliance expressed its strong disappointment with political decisions to cut the EU4Health budget by 1 billion and the Horizon Europe budget by 2.1 billion Euros. With the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in our minds, and the number of people suffering from chronic diseases steadily increasing, we need more investment in health and research. With the EU elections coming up in June this year we hope that health and research will continue to be a priority in the elections, and for the new Parliament and Commission.
New Vacancy: EU Public Affairs & Communication officer (1 year)
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Start: March 2024
The Biomedical Alliance in Europe is a not-for-profit organisation representing 34 leading European associations devoted to medical care and biomedical research. It represents more than 400,000 researchers and health professionals (www.biomedeurope.org).
The BioMed Alliance’s principal goals and objectives are to promote the aims and values of researchers, healthcare professionals and not-for-profit European medical associations and organisations across all medical disciplines.
We facilitate cooperation between our members and represent them in policy and advocacy issues related to health research, continuing medical education and regulatory affairs, including Medical Devices, Academic Clinical Trials, In Vitro Diagnostics and health data sharing. Succinctly, we act as a single voice on transversal health and health research issues, to facilitate multi-stakeholder communication at European level.
Location:
Rue de la Loi 34/36, Brussels
Description:
You will be part of a small team that is responsible for supporting collaboration and communication among the member organisations. You will be involved in the organization of events, communication, the development of advocacy actions, engagement and capacity building with EU decision makers and EU health stakeholders and in providing information to member organizations.
Responsibilities:
- monitor the EU policy agenda (research and health related)
- support the team in developing policy campaigns and help implement a broad range of advocacy activities
- draft reports, minutes and policy briefings
- actively develop and maintain a network of contacts and use contact management tools such as contact databases
- support the team in drafting newsletters and communication activities related to the organization’s activities
- organise meetings and events
- communicate with a broad network of professionals, experts and policy makers
Candidate Profile
- You are highly proficient in spoken and written English, as our work is exclusively carried out in that language.
- You have good writing and analytical skills.
- You have a genuine enthusiasm for public affairs & advocacy and an appetite to discover the not-for-profit universe.
- You have an interest in health and research policy or would like to learn more about these policy areas.
- You should have an outstanding academic record to be able to deal with the multidisciplinary aspects of the role.
- You are an EU citizen or holder of a Belgian work permit
What we offer:
We provide a friendly working environment and the opportunity to acquire excellent professional experience with the purpose to help in starting your career. You will also be able to enhance your knowledge of EU affairs, health and research policy and the activities of medical & research societies.
Description of the proposed contract:
You will start with 6 months of internship followed by a full employment contract of 6 months. The contract is remunerated and could be prolonged after the 1-year commitment. The position is under the “Formation Professionelle en Entreprise (FPI)’s rules proposed by Bruxelles Formation. To be eligible for this type of contract, you must be enrolled in the Actiris platform.
Interested?
Please send your CV, and a short news item written by you on a topic that you consider of interest for the Biomed Alliance, to our Executive Director Loredana Simulescu:
Update January 2024
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Read our new January Update, to get an update on BioMed Alliance activities and new developments in the EU policy sphere. In this edition you will find more information about our newest member, a statement and Commission proposal on extended transition periods for IVDs, our participation in an event on genomic data in EHDS, a consultation on the Cross-Border Threats to Health Regulation, IHI Call 6 & 7 that are open now, our presentation at the HERA board on our recent discussion paper, members news and upcoming events.
BioMed Alliance welcomes a new member: ESCCA
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The BioMed Alliance is proud to welcome a new member, the European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis (ESCCA). We look forward to working with this newest member to continue to raise awareness on the perspectives of medical and research societies across Europe.
ESCCA is a scientific society founded to ensure the continuation of the activities of the European Working Group on Clinical Cell Analysis (EWGCCA). EWGCCA was formed in 1996 with a Biomed-2 grant in order to establish collaboration between sixteen European centres that use and develop flow cytometric applications mainly for clinical purposes. Since 1996 EWGCCA has organised very successful annual European Courses and Euroconferences aimed at the standardisation, validation and dissemination of flow cytometric know-how and its implementation in clinical laboratories. The Courses and Conferences have included presentations by high-profile speakers from the USA. The annual ESCCA European Courses now rank among the world’s largest educational events in flow cytometry.
Statement: Urgent action needed to prevent widespread shortage of diagnostic tests
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In a new statement, BioMed Alliance highlights its increasing concerns about approaching widespread issues with the availability of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (IVDs) in Europe. Persisting problems with the implementation of the In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR), insufficient certificates issued, the failure to deliver the EUDAMED database and general unpreparedness of the sector could lead to the disappearance from the market of a large number of essential IVDs in the near future and related loss of international competitivity compared to other jurisdictions. The document calls for a mix of short-term solutions (including an extension of the transition period) and more longer-term reforms of the system to ensure pressing challenges are addressed.
Read more here
Update December 2023
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Read our special end of the year Update for December 2023. In this Update you will get an overview of the main policy developments in December, and to mark the end of the year we look back at our main highlights throughout 2023 and at what is to come in 2024.
Stakeholder coalition statement calls for legislative refinement of the EHDS
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Together with a large multi-stakeholder group, representing the entire spectrum of the healthcare ecosystem and consisting of 36 European patient organisations, medical associations, health research infrastructures and health industry associations, we have issued a joint statement to raise the alarm about the significant legislative shortcomings and uncertainties in the proposed Regulation for a European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The multi-stakeholder group is issuing this joint statement in advance of the plenary vote in the European Parliament scheduled on 13 December 2023. In addition, the group is raising its concerns ahead of a COREPER meeting on 6 December 2023 in the hope that Member States will make much-needed changes to the legislative text before reaching general approach.
There remain serious legislative problems with the EHDS, which is now being fast-tracked through both the European Parliament and Council. Stakeholders are concerned that if these problems are not addressed, then the legislation could generate more risks than benefits. The significant degree of legal ambiguity and uncertainty could pose risks for the protection of patient data as well as health research collaborations. As it stands, the potential effects of some of the key provisions in the EHDS are the opposite of what the original policy objectives were aiming for.
Read the statement here.
Update November 2023
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In our new November Update you will find more information about our recent General Assembly, the new EHDS Statement, our consultation reply on the revision of the pharmaceutical legislation, a new HERA Civil Society Forum paper, recent CORE-MD workshops, a call for experts in public health emergencies, and a new survey on in silico medicine.
ENVI-LIBE vote on EHDS does not take into account recommendations scientific community
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The BioMed Alliance is disappointed to see a partial opt-in approach for the re-use of health data for research in the new ENVI-LIBE position on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The committees voted on the text on 28 November, and their provisions calling for a general opt-out system and a partial opt-in system could lead to barriers to health data sharing and fragmentation in the system. It is unfortunate that the recommendations of the scientific community were neglected and that life-saving health research on diseases, cures and prevention may be slowed down.
We hope that the upcoming plenary vote and trilogue negotiations will make sure that EHDS can still fulfil its intended objectives to facilitate health research.
Read more about our position here
BioMed Alliance leads drafting of HERA Civil Society Forum Discussion Paper
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On November 17, the Civil Society Forum of the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) adopted its first discussion paper on the strategy and future role of HERA. The drafting of the paper was coordinated by the BioMed Alliance and it recommends increased investment into health emergency preparedness and response in addition to closer integration of strategies on the EU level. It focuses on a range of issues including strong and separate funding streams, enhanced coordination and the need to have a broader scope beyond merely medical countermeasures to immediate health emergencies. The paper will inform the upcoming mid-term review of HERA’s mandate in 2024
BioMed Alliance replies to consultation on the revision of the EU Pharmaceuticals legislation
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Update October 2023
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