18.04.2012
European Patients’ Rights Day 2012

For the 6th year running on a European Level on the 18th April 2009 the European Patients’ Rights Day will be celebrated on the same day in all 27 EU countries to give more visibility to the event and to increase its impact on national authorities and stakeholders. Over the past years several attempts have been made to have this day recognized officially by EU Parliament but although the concept of Patients’ Rights is acceptable by all, so far it has not received the very much desired commitment from all stakeholders. European Patients’ Rights Day in Malta The local campaign on raising awareness on The European Charter and Patients Rights days has been carried forward over the past 5 years by the Malta Health Network (MHN). Various events have been held to celebrate this day including seminars for member organisations and the general public and appeals through the media. MHN has also had meetings with Health Authorities, representatives of the opposition and MEPs to bring to their attention the Charter and the importance of its principles being entrenched in local and European laws. INFORMATION European Patients’ Rights Day 2012 Press statement by Minister Cassar - Photos (courtesy DOI website)

   29.02.2012
International Rare Disease Day

A disease or disorder is defined as rare in Europe when it affects less than 5 in 10000 people. Despite that fact, the number of people suffering from rare diseases is high, due to the fact that there are around 8000 rare diseases identified so far. According to calculations of the European Union, today between 6 and 8 % of the population of the Union are suffering from rare diseases, totaling up to 29 million people altogether. The people affected are, in fact, significantly more, since such a disease leads to a drastic change in the life not only of the patient, but his whole family, due to the necessity of daily care. They encounter numerous problems, related to the difficult diagnostics of these diseases, the lack of treatment and the extremely high price of the life-supporting therapy they have to undergo. About 80% of the rare diseases are genetic, the rest are rare forms of cancer, autoimmune diseases, congenital malformations, toxic and infectious diseases, etc. INFORMATION MHN Rare Disease Day 2012 Statement Rare Disease Fact IN THE PRESS Times of Malta: Rare Day for Rare Disease ONE News: News Report on Rare Disease The Malta Independent: Rare Disease Day 2012 - Rare but strong together

   17.02.2012
EMA Press Release

European Medicines Agency recommends new contraindications and warnings for aliskiren-containing medicines Combination of aliskiren with ‘ACE’ inhibitors and ‘ARBs’ no longer recommended for patients; contraindication in patients with diabetes or kidney problems. Download full Press Release

   14.01.2012
eHealth Network for European Cooperation

The European Commission adopted a Decision establishing an eHealth Network, as foreseen by the Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients' Rights in Cross-border Healthcare. For the first time, EU legislation includes provisions on eHealth with clear objectives to find modern, innovative solutions for providing better and safer healthcare for all Europeans. eHealth is healthcare practice supported by electronic processes and information communication technologies (ICTs). eHealth can play a central role in making health systems more efficient and effective by allowing for example remote diagnosis, remote monitoring of patients' conditions and secure sharing of patient records between healthcare professionals. The eHealth Network will play a key role in facilitating the future development of such services across Europe. To ensure coordination, coherence and consistency of work on eHealth at EU level and to avoid duplication of work, Cross-border Healthcare Directive (2011/24/EU - Article 14) sets up the voluntary eHealth Network adopted by the Commission’s Decision. The eHealth network is mandated to draw up guidelines on a minimum set of common data to be included in patients' summaries; on methods to enable the use of medical information for public health and medical research; and on common identification and authentication measures to ensure transferability of data in cross-border healthcare. The Network will bring together the national authorities responsible for eHealth on a voluntary basis to work on common orientations for eHealth. The aim is to ensure EU wide interoperability of electronic health systems and wider use of eHealth. The eHealth Network is expected to translate the results of numerous research projects and pilot projects into real-life accessible services for European citizens.

   27.12.2011
ESPH Update

December update of the MEUSAC ESPH.

   23.11.2011
Swedish Peer Review

Background notes and respective stakeholders’ contributions, including AGE paper, to the past Swedish Peer Review on ‘Closing the gap – in search for ways to deal with expanding care needs and limited resources’. Link: http://www.peer-review-social-inclusion.eu/peer-reviews/2011/closing-the-gap .

EPF Mailing

November issue of the EPF Mailing.

European Year of Volunteering 2011

The European Year of Volunteering 2011 aims to make it easier for people to volunteer, to improve the quality of volunteering, and to help policy-makers understand better the work done by millions of volunteers across the EU and address the challenges they face. During the Year there will be a wide range of activities that will take place in all 27 EU Member States, to raise awareness and celebrate the vital role that volunteers play in our everyday lives. Malta will be participating through activities in Valletta between the 28 Nov – 5 Dec 2011. Download the Event Poster.

Positive benefit-risk balance of pholcodine-containing cough medicines

The European Medicines Agency confirms positive benefit-risk balance of pholcodine-containing cough medicines. No firm evidence of cross-sensitisation between pholcodine and neuromuscular blocking agents used during surgery. Download the Press Release.

Recommended suspension of buflomedil-containing medicines

The European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of all buflomedil-containing medicines. Benefits of vasoactive agents do not outweigh risks of serious cardiological and neurological side effects. Download the Press Release.

Small Initiatives Support Scheme 2011

This call for proposals is being issued by the Voluntary Organisations Fund under the Small Initiatives Support hereinafter referred to as ‘Small Initiatives Support Scheme’ or ‘SIS’. The Guide for the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (2011) are also published on the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector website (www.maltacvs.com). The Guide constitutes an integral part of the call for proposals. Download the Guidelines for Applicants.

   27.10.2011
European Science Foundation Mailing

Results of Public Consultation on the Future of Gender & Innovation in Europe (see mailshot online). The ESF is delighted to share the results of the Public Consultation on the Future of Gender and Innovation in Europe. Download the report available on the European Gender Summit webpage.

   05.08.2011
EPF Mailing

July issue of the EPF Mailing.

ESPH Update

July update of the MEUSAC ESPH.

EPF Statement

Statement from the European Patients' Forum “A real partnership, with older patients in a central role, is the way forward”, following the EPF/FPP Conference on the rights and needs of older patients that was held in Warsaw, Poland, 12-13 July.