European Parliament back to work…
The new European Parliament returned to work on 24 August. The focus is on the Swedish EU Presidency’s programme, the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso as European Commission President and the hearings of the candidate Commissioners.

Inaugural address
New Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek (PL-EPP), made his inaugural address at the September plenary session. He warned that the financial crisis was the most serious challenge currently facing Europe and spoke of the need for the Parliament to be more open and dynamic so that citizens could "know who they voted for". He also underlined the need for European solidarity and human rights.

The new Commission
Barroso’s communication with the Parliament included a five year written programme containing a set of guidelines for his planned action during the next five years. These focused on a number of broad areas, including ‘the promotion of forward-looking investments particularly in research and development’. On 16 September, the European Parliament voted convincingly in favour of Mr Barroso’s reappointment with 382 for, 219 against and 117 abstentions.

The new Commission is set to take up its responsibilities in November. The candidate Commissioners will need Parliament’s approval before they can take up their new positions. However, it is as yet unclear whether the new Commission will be put together on the basis of the Lisbon Treaty (i.e. 27 Commissioners) or, if the Lisbon Treaty is not yet ratified by all Member States, on the basis of the Nice Treaty (i.e. 20 Commissioners). Much depended on the Irish referendum, held on 2 October. The Irish ‘yes’ means that Poland will also ratify the Treaty. However, it is still unclear what Eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus will do. He does not seem in a hurry to sign the Treaty, and may even try to stall signing until the next elections in the UK. The expected change of power in that country will have consequences for the UK’s stance on ‘Lisbon’. In other words, Mr Klaus currently holds the key.

Public health briefing
As part of the start of the new Parliamentary term, all members of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) have received a Public Health briefing prior to the new Committee starting its work. This briefing also refers to the current pharmaceutical legislation under the heading ‘Missing Elements and Possible Future Policies’, stating that

‘The existing legal framework provides a comprehensive framework for all aspects relating to medicinal products in the EU. In addition, specific pieces of legislation regulate precise areas of the EU medicinal products policy. It will be important to follow up on emerging technologies developing medicinal products in the EU in order to adapt the legal framework as was done for advanced therapy medicinal products. Given the importance of alternative therapies such as homeopathy and acupuncture in some Member States, it may be relevant for the EU framework on medicinal products to be extended to include products associated with these therapies. The use of such alternative therapies across the EU is heterogeneous, with some Member States imposing bans, whilst other Member States provide reimbursement for treatment under their health systems. In addition, the more limited markets for products associated with these techniques make industry less inclined to invest in research and development, despite promising results from some treatments. There may be a role for the EU bodies to promote research in cases where evidence has been found of successful treatments with alternative therapies in order to fully explore possibilities’ (section 2.23.4).

Under the section entitled ‘Background Notes for New Commissioners’ Hearings’ a sub- section on the Health Workforce refers to the possibility of ‘Funding earmarked for studies to assess the potential benefits of alternative therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, etc., leading to the publication of a green paper, and the opening of consultation process with civil society, practitioners and patients’ (section 3.21.3).

Meanwhile, the ENVI Committee has started its work in earnest, led by Committee President Jo Leinen (PPE-D). Reports on patients’ rights in cross-border care and the pharmaceutical package will be prepared and debated in the short term.

Christine Marking
ECHAMP Public Affairs Consultant