Health

Bulgaria’s telemedicine proposal sparks backlash over state monopoly

Under proposed rules, all remote consultations between patients and doctors would have to be conducted exclusively through the state-run digital infrastructure.

EU must take lead role on pharma, and patient access, says Czech minister

Commission’s budget proposal bets billions on biotech

By merging health programmes into a wider competitiveness fund and boosting biotech investment, the EU is sending early signals to the industry

FIRST AID: Looking for signs of life in the MFF

In today's edition: MFF, Danish health tasks, and the drug cost crisis in Belgium

Commission expects over €20 billion in revenue from tobacco tax

A forthcoming Eurobarometer survey is expected to show broad public support for higher tobacco taxes across the EU.

Belgian drug cost crisis needs tough medicine, Vandenbroucke prescribes remedy

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to cover 57% of the additional €466 million expected for the 2026 budget, through a reinforced clawback mechanism and budgetary guarantees.

MEPs signal backing for public-private deals amid biotech report rewrite

With the Commission also presenting its long-term EU budget this week, MEPs underlined the need for adequate funding to ensure the Biotech Act can support the sector's innovation

Trump to ‘probably’ impose pharma tariffs in August, urges EU investment

The US President is planning to give EU drugmakers a year's notice to relocate to the United States.

While Commission looks ahead, Parliament fights to protect 2026 budget

MEPs call for stronger support for health programmes in the 2026 EU budget, as concerns mount over defence-driven reallocations.

‘Roll up your sleeves’: Denmark on pharma package and Critical Medicines Act

Danish Health Minister Sophie Løhde urged EU lawmakers to strike a balance on the pharma package to advance the Critical Medicines Act – a task that may be easier said than done. 

FIRST AID: Mega fund and tobacco tax dominate budget day chatter

In today's edition: Health & MFF, Medical Imports, transition period for e-cigarette taxation

EXCLUSIVE: Commission mulls transition period for e-cigarette taxation until 2031

The Commission is considering using revenue from a revised tobacco tax to help fund the EU’s 2028–2034 budget, a senior official said.

MEPs set to revise far-right biotech report

The biotech report, filed in June by far-right MEP Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, has drawn backlash over its lack of substance

EU targets US medical imports in counter-tariff proposal

Medical devices and equipment account for €7.6 billion of the €72.1 billion in US imports the EU is considering for countermeasures

S&D warns competitiveness logic could override EU health budget

Concerns grow over sidelining of core health goals in new budget plan.

FIRST AID: Commission to debate tobacco tax on 16 July

In today's edition: Trump's pharma strategy, MedTech calls for tariff exemption, WHO laments doubling of measles cases

Irish AI start-up targets chemotherapy bottlenecks with remote assessment platform

A new AI platform enables patients to complete chemotherapy toxicity assessments remotely in under six minutes, delivering cost savings and clinical efficiency gains.

Tobacco tax overhaul to be discussed by Commission on 16 July

Commission’s tax plan faces fierce pushback from member states.

Trump’s pharma strategy explained: ‘It’s simple – just incredibly complicated’

Pharma is exempt – for now. But 200% tariffs could hit in one to one-and-a-half years, warns Swiss analyst.

Bulgarian hospital fraud going unchecked despite patient digital verification app

Low uptake of the digital verification tool enabling citizen oversight of health services is weakening system safeguards.

Medical technology sector calls for exemption from Trump’s 30% EU tariff

Tariffs risk harming patients and stalling innovation, MedTech Europe warns Brussels and Washington.

FIRST AID: Horizon escapes the merger

In today's edition: MEPs divided over EU4Health merger, Trump tariffs, the week ahead.