European Commission President José Manuel Barroso underlined referring to the current financial difficulties that he sees healthcare as a key issue in the coming years and that the partnership really can make a difference and set an example for the world. He seemed rather set on ensuring that the European Commission gets more directly involved in the healthcare sector.
Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou was quite interesting. First she explained that she wants to reduce the fragmentation and get focus in the cancer research. I’m not sure though that streamlining is what’s makes research work. Quite a lot of important discoveries have been off springs of other research rather then what original was searched for. Astra Zeneca´s Losec is maybe the textbook example. But she also said that she think believes in added value through demonstrating if the various healthcare systems are meeting high standards or needs to improve. I.e. that she believes in naming and shaming. Still not really PC – but she has my full support on this one. Further she quickly mentioned that it’s not fair that it’s depending on where you live what innovative drugs you get. I think the upcoming report on health inequalities in Europe and the European Commission’s conclusions and proposals based on this report will be very very interesting and controversial.
The panel discussion never really took off but from the civil society there were 2 remarks that made me think a little extra. One was a polish mother of child with cancer who pointed out that when IARC and others specify the various stakeholders and actors in care parents should be specially remembered. This is quite spot on. Key to early detections is to noticing changes in the body – either your own or in this case your child. It’s a different role compared to be a friend or regular citizen. Those close to a patient are often remembered but as a support factor – not as part as best practice in the process of ensuring early detection.
Finally one of the leading ladies in patient advocacy Hildrun Sundseth asked the profession present for common European treatment guidelines. On the surface this seems to make sense but I must confess that I do think it can be damaging in the long run. It cannot be good for further development if everyone is set to do the same – and guidelines agreed upon on a European level would by necessity be a committee product. And as everyone knows who seen the EU in action knows the final agreed result may not necessarily be whats known as best practice.
Today’s meeting did set the tone for the further work. It will be well organized, intense and high level. A good way but I hope those in leading positions can take a step back and let the diversity of all the European countries and various experts work its magic.
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This is an interesting post, as I am not familiar with cancer treatment guidelines in Europe, however there are treatment guidelines in the US. The Commission on Cancer - www.facs.org/cancer - for example accredits surgical oncology programs in the US, which allows an organization to self-assess, and understand how they are meeting these care standards.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Seems like your US standards are more dynamic and from a communication point of view dynamic compared to the European versions. Europe starts to have more and more national Cancer Plans that hope too ensure a common standards of care for the citizens.
ReplyDeleteI say yes to "a open market" on cancer research so that we can learn from each other and get a better system in all countries. But I say no the common guidelines. If Eu get the job done right its of course good. But what if they get it wrong. There are no need for a common guideline all over europe. If one country does something good teh rest will follow. If you have common guidelines and one country wants to do something better because they have found a better way they have to reach an agreement with 26 other countries. And we also most not forget that that some countries may have special interest in the "cancerindustri" If new common guidelines mean that a company in your country have to fired 10.000 people.
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