Below are articles of special interest recommended in the last issue of the
EBC – external environment report:
2nd HBP Education Workshop: “Future Medicine” (Horizon 2020)
The aim of the second Human Brain Project Education Workshop is to introduce the new concept of biological signature of diseases for Future Medicine and the methods for creating multi-level biological models of brain diseases. It is open to postgraduate students and young researchers working in one of the research areas covered by the HBP.
Report on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (European Commission Midday Express)
The EC has published a staff working document which reviews progress since the adoption of its “European initiative on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias” launched in 2009. The report outlines the various work strands on the initiative’s four strategic objectives: early diagnosis, improving epidemiological knowledge and coordination of research, sharing best practices and respecting the rights of people with dementia.
Pharmaceutical Industry: A Strategic Sector for the European Economy (European Commission)
A workshop was organised on 22/10 in Rome by the European Commission (DG Enterprise and Industry) on the role and the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry and its importance with regard to public health and the economy in Europe.
Economic crisis, health systems and health in Europe: impact and implications for policy (European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies)
The document summarizes the findings of a joint study by WHO Europe and the Observatory analyzing the impact of health policy responses to the crisis in Europe from 2008 to 2013.
Dementia is so much more than forgetfulness (Tonio Borg)
Dementia […] is a debilitating condition encompassing disorders such as serious and recurrent memory lapses, difficulties to find one’s words when speaking, or not thinking clearly.
£200,000 ‘smart’ drugs seizure prompts alarm over rising UK sales (The Guardian)
A record haul of “smart” drugs, sold to students to enhance their memory and thought processes, stay awake and improve concentration, has been seized from a UK website by the medicines regulator, which is alarmed about the recent rise of such sites.
EPHA response to Public Consultation on Europe 2020 Strategy Mid-Term Review (European Public Health Alliance)
Below you can find EPHA’s response to the public consultation on the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy. EPHA believes that the Europe 2020 Strategy should be revised in order to better serve the public health interests of Europeans.
New study calls upon EU to address link between mental and physical health in its Health Programme (European Public Health Alliance)
A new study commissioned by Mental Health Europe assesses whether the EU’s second Health Programme (2008-2013) addresses the interrelation of mental and physical health. The conclusion is that the programme does not make a sufficient connection between the two.
Medicines not goods like any other, says new EU president (Pharma Times)
Responsibility for medicines and pharmaceutical products will stay with the Directorate-General for Health because I agree with you that medicines are not goods like any other.
UK £230 million investment to ‘revolutionise research’ (Pharma Times)
An initiative led by the Medical Research Council has been unveiled which will see over £230 million invested in a range of “revolutionary technologies” aimed at identifying the causes of diseases such as cancer and dementia.
