Reklama

EU Faces Health Challenges

Adam Jarubas, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT), stated that Europe is falling increasingly behind the US and China, particularly in the field of biological medicines, stressing that new regulations should include mechanisms to encourage investment in research.

Publikacja: 05.09.2025 00:24

An important discussion about health. On stage: Adam Jarubas and Dominika Pietrzyk from 'Rzeczpospolita'

Foto: Maciek Zygmunt

Jakub Mikulski

Reklama

Speaking at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Adam Jarubas emphasised that the pandemic was the turning point for SANT, previously a subcommittee, becoming an independent, full legislative committee of the European Parliament in January. ‘We realised that there are more and more challenges that cannot be addressed by individual countries acting alone. The pandemic showed that we could act more effectively by working together’, he said.

The new committee is currently working on the biggest reform of the medicines market in two decades, known as the pharmaceutical package. According to Jarubas, ‘in June, the Council managed to prepare a general approach, i.e. a mandate for negotiations with the Parliament and the European Commission’. He added that these tripartite negotiations are already underway, with the goal of adopting two documents – a regulation and a directive — later this year.

We need to build resilience to crises

The second area of work is the Critical Medicines Act, which aims to protect Europe during geopolitical crises. Adam Jarubas emphasised the continent’s vulnerability, stating, ‘The EU is dependent on supplies of active substances from Asia, in some cases by as much as 80%’. He warned that ‘if sanctions or war were to disrupt supply chains, it could spell disaster for hospitals’. In a related move, the Commission is also preparing a biotechnology law. As Jarubas noted, Europe is beginning to lag behind the United States and China, especially in biological medicines. ‘We will try to include incentives in the regulations so as not to lose ground, because the world is moving fast’, he stated.

According to the chairman, the European Union's administrative sluggishness is a serious problem. ‘Especially in clinical trials or the registration of new medical devices, the procedures are too complicated’, he said, adding that the European Commission is committed to reviewing the regulations to simplify the system and accelerate innovation.

Following the 2021 European Cancer Plan, Brussels is preparing further strategies. Jarubas explained, ‘The Commission wants to propose a strategy for cardiovascular diseases – currently the leading cause of death among Europeans – as well as neurodegenerative diseases and mental health, perhaps in the form of an integrated brain health strategy’. However, he stressed that these are only recommendations, as health remains the exclusive competence of Member States. ‘The Commission can only appeal and encourage through financial instruments’, he clarified.

Reklama

Relations with the US are also an important issue. Jarubas noted that while there are tariffs on innovative medicines, there are none on generics, and a compromise must be approved by Parliament, where ‘not everyone likes it’. He recalled that some MEPs oppose the shape of the agreement and warned, ‘If the EP rejects the document, the problems in trade relations could increase’. The MEP pointed out that the best solution would be to return to the idea of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), declaring that ‘the European approach is to have as few burdens as possible and, ideally, to establish the free movement of goods and services’.

Financing health programmes

He also drew attention to the new EU budget framework. ‘The budget brings together many previously distinct policies, including cohesion and agriculture, within a single competitiveness fund worth over EUR 350 billion’, explained Jarubas. He noted that health constituted one of the four pillars, alongside decarbonisation, defence, and digitalisation, while cautioning that ‘health spending will have to compete with other objectives’.

The MEP observed that 20% of the budget is currently earmarked for repaying loans contracted under the National Recovery Plan, thereby restricting fiscal flexibility. In his view, additional own resources are essential. ‘One proposal is to allocate part of the excise duty on tobacco products. This could provide a funding source for health programmes,’ he said. Nonetheless, he reminded his audience that decisions of this kind require unanimity in the Council.

Jarubas also turned to the issue of preventive healthcare. He acknowledged that harmonisation in this field remains limited but argued that the development of common standards is possible. ‘Prevention is an area where greater action is needed, ideally with the support of European funds’, he emphasised. Reflecting on his tenure as Marshal of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, he recalled: ‘The Świętokrzyskie Oncology Centre implemented a preventive project worth PLN 15 million, reaching small communities with gynaecological examinations and purchasing mammography buses. It is clear that such financial instruments are effective’, he argued.

Jarubas went on to commend the commitment of the European Commissioner for Health, Oliver Várhelyi of Hungary. ‘It is evident that he is determined to establish himself as a key architect of European health policy’, he said. He stressed that political disputes are comparatively rare in the health committee, which creates scope for substantive work. ‘I believe that in health, building on the lessons of the pandemic, we will be able to achieve more for the benefit of our citizens’, he concluded.